Characteristics of Nanosecond Bipolar Pulsed Water Electrode Dielectric Barrier Discharge for Ozone Generation

This study investigates the ozone generation characteristics of a nanosecond bipolar pulse-excited single-water electrode (dielectric barrier discharge) DBD reactor, with a particular focus on the effects of pulse width (Tp) on discharge behavior, plasma parameters, and ozone generation efficiency. The results indicate that the bipolar pulse voltage displays a symmetric alternating waveform, and the reactor demonstrates excellent thermal stability. Rotation temperature (Trot) remains stable between 307 and 310 K (close to room temperature, which effectively suppresses O3 thermal decomposition), while vibrational temperature (Tvib) stabilizes at 3120 ± 50 K (sufficient to ensure the electron energy required for O2 dissociation). Electron excitation temperature (Texc) increases with both the specific input energy (SIE) and Tp. At SIE = 200 J/L, extending Tp from 200 ns to 1000 ns results in an increase in Texc from 2633 K to 2724 K. The ozone generation efficiency exhibits a “rise-then-decline” trend with increasing Tp. The optimal Tp is 500–600 ns, at which the maximum efficiency reaches 102 g/kWh (corresponding to SIE = 35.95 J/L), which is slightly higher than the peak efficiency of the unipolar pulse-driven water electrode reactor (99.64 ± 0.87 g/kWh, corresponding to SIE = 33.60 ± 1.53 J/L). This work innovatively applies nanosecond bipolar pulse excitation to a single-water electrode DBD reactor for ozone generation, an understudied configuration that integrates the discharge stability advantage of bipolar pulses and the superior cooling advantages of water electrodes. This study offers significant insights into the pulse power excitation of ozone generation.