Electrochemical generation of ozone using a PEM electrolyzer at acidic pHs

• Published in: Separation and purification technology 2021-07, Vol.267, p.118672, Article 118672
• Main Authors: Rodríguez-Peña, M., Barrios Pérez, J.A., Llanos, J., Saez, C., Barrera-Díaz, C.E., Rodrigo, M.A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Electro-ozonizer; Electrolysis; Ozone; Pressurized cells
• ISSN: 1383-5866; 1873-3794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2021.118672

[Display omitted] •Cell pressurization can increase ozone production in electrochemical cells.•Higher ozone production in electrolytes with perchlorates as compared with sulfates.•Acidic pHs improve production of ozone, which also develops from oxygen.•Low temperatures improve production and accumulation of ozone. This work focuses on the electrochemical production of ozone at acidic pHs, evaluating the influence of the salts in the electrolyte, temperature and pressure on the efficiency of its production. Results demonstrate that electrolysis with electrolytes containing perchlorate salts allow obtaining higher concentrations of ozone than electrolytes containing sulfates. Adding to that, the increase in the operation pressure and the decrease in temperature have a positive effect on the production of ozone. This indicates that not only the oxidation of water, but also the oxidation of oxygen is important to explain the electrochemical production of ozone. A simple model considering all these processes is formulated and validated with the experimental results that allow explaining the fundamentals of ozone production in acidic conditions.