ION GENERATING ELEMENT

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ion generating element which prevents adhering and depositing of organic matters on the surface of a discharge electrode provided on a dielectric surface and achieves a stable discharge in a long time in which the degradation by discharge of the electrode itself can be suppressed. SOLUTION: In the ion generating element 10, ultraviolet light is generated by discharge between facing two electrodes 12a, 12b with a dielectric 11 interposed therebetween. The photocatalyst of a coating layer 13 coating discharge electrode surface is activated by the ultraviolet light or light from an external light source, and modifies the surface into hydrophilicity. Since the photocatalyst causes oxidation and reduction reaction on the surface, and decomposes substances such as stains, depositions to the electrode 12 are suppressed, a more stably repeating discharge in a long period than conventional one can be achieved. Since the coating layer 13 covers the whole of the electrode, the degradation of the electrode 12 itself by discharge can be suppressed over the whole of the electrode. COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI