How is ozone made in an ozone generator？

How does an ozone generator produce ozone?

Ozone generators operate by drawing ambient air across a high-voltage discharge field, where molecular oxygen (O₂) is split and recombined to form ozone (O₃). Designed for use in unoccupied spaces, the unit is activated for a predetermined duration based on the severity of odors and the volume of the area. Following treatment, the space must be thoroughly ventilated to allow residual ozone to decay back into breathable oxygen. Ozone is highly effective for air purification and smoke odor removal, and can also be applied to disinfect textiles during laundry cycles due to its rapid decomposition and absence of chemical residues.

Ozone generators create ozone (O₃) by breaking up ordinary oxygen molecules (O₂) in the atmosphere such that some of the individual oxygen atoms can recombine into ozone.

There are two main methods:

Corona discharge (Most common)

How it works:：The device functions by passing air or oxygen through a high-voltage electrical discharge chamber, which resembles a little lightning strike.

Process:

High voltage splits some O₂ molecules into individual oxygen atoms.

These atoms quickly bond with intact O₂ molecules, forming ozone (O₃).

Ultraviolet (UV) light

How it works: Light with a wavelength of about 185 nanometers, which breaks apart O₂ molecules, is emitted by special UV lamps.

Process:

UV photons hit oxygen molecules, splitting them into separate atoms.

These atoms combine with other O₂ molecules to form ozone.

Other common methods

Electrolytic: Produces ozone directly in liquid form by passing an electric current through water (used for water treatment).

Cold plasma: Similar to corona discharge in theory but with a different electrical setup, it uses ionized gas to break oxygen molecules.