Surface Mechanism for Ozone Destruction in Nitrogen Containing Dielectric Barrier Discharges Sustained in Oxygen

Dielectric barrier discharges (DBDs) sustained in oxygen near atmospheric pressure is the major source of ozone (O 3 ) for water purification. The efficiency of O 3 production is thought to be sensitive to surface reactions which may reduce net ozone production by reducing O 3 to O 2 . O 2 feed gas with an admixture of N 2 can maintain ozone production efficiency, an effect that is attributed to N atoms occupying surface sites that would otherwise lead to ozone destruction.