ELECTROLYTIC CELL FOR OZONE PRODUCTION

An electrolytic cell includes at least one free-standing diamond electrode and a second electrode, which may also be a free-standing diamond, separated by a membrane. The electrolytic cell is capable of conducting sustained current flows at current densities of at least about 1 ampere per square centimeter. A method of operating an electrolytic cell having two diamond electrodes includes alternately reversing the polarity of the voltage across the electrodes. A current spreader is affixed to and electrically coupled to the free-standing diamond electrode; the current spreader has an electrical contact and one of a mesh configuration and a frame configuration, the current spreader is electrically conductive and in operation, a voltage supply is coupled to the electrical contact of current spreader to connect the free-standing diamond to a host system.