Device for and method of generating ozone

Abstract

The present invention can provide an electrode member having a substrate member and a coating member. The substrate member can be made of a material selected from the group consisting of titanium, gold coated titanium and other inert conducting materials. The coating member can have a tin dioxide modified by antimony. The electrode member of the present invention can be used for direct generation of ozone in water or through water into a gaseous state.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A method of improving the current efficiency of an electrochemical ozone generation system by selective formation of an electrode member that is to be used in the system, comprising:
 providing a substrate for an electrode member;   forming a layer on the substrate that includes antimony modified tin dioxide; and   adding nickel to the layer, either when the layer is formed, or subsequent to the layer formation step, to improve a current efficiency of an electrochemical ozone generation system that will use the electrode member.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the forming step comprises:
 preparing a solution that includes antimony modified tin dioxide; and   applying the antimony modified tin dioxide solution to the substrate to form the layer on the substrate.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the adding step comprises adding nickel to the solution. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the adding step comprises adding nickel to the solution in an amount that causes the resulting electrode member to provide a catalytic effect that increases a current efficiency of an electrochemical ozone generation system that employs the electrode member. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the adding step comprises applying nickel to the layer after it has been formed on the substrate. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the applying step comprises:
 spraying the antimony modified tin dioxide solution onto the substrate;   drying the solution; and   calcining the resulting electrode member.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising repeating the spraying, drying and calcining steps a predetermined number of times. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein repeating the spraying, drying and calcining steps a predetermined number of times comprises repeating the spraying, drying and calcining steps between 12 and 30 times. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein drying the solution comprises heating the electrode member at about 100° C. for about 10 minutes. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein calcining the electrode member comprises calcining the electrode member at a temperature of about 520° C. in air for about 5 minutes. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the applying step comprises:
 dipping the substrate into the antimony modified tin dioxide solution;   drying the solution; and   calcining the resulting electrode member.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising repeating the dipping, drying and calcining steps a predetermined number of times. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein repeating the dipping, drying and calcining steps a predetermined number of times comprises repeating the dipping, drying and calcining steps between 12 and 30 times. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein drying the solution comprises heating the electrode member at about 100° C. for about 10 minutes. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein calcining the electrode member comprises calcining the electrode member at a temperature of about 520° C. in air for about 5 minutes. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein providing the substrate for the electrode member comprises providing a substrate member comprising an inert conductive material. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the forming and adding steps are conducted so as to result in a surface morphology of approximately 3 to 5 nm connected particles covering substantially all of the substrate. 
     
     
         28 . A method of improving the current efficiency of an electrochemical ozone generation system that uses an electrode member, comprising:
 providing an electrode member for an electrochemical ozone generation system, the electrode member including antimony modified tin dioxide; and   adding an amount of nickel to the antimony modified tin dioxide electrode member such that the nickel provides a catalytic effect that improves a current efficiency of an electrochemical ozone generation system employing the electrode member, as compared to an electrochemical ozone generation system having an electrode that lacks nickel.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the adding step is conducted such that the nickel added to the antimony modified tin dioxide electrode member increases the percentage of current applied to the electrode that results in the generation of ozone. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the adding step is conducted such that the nickel added to the antimony modified tin dioxide electrode member decreases the percentage of current applied to the electrode that results in the generation of oxygen.