The catalytic role of using inert gases to increase the efficiency and lower the power cost of producing ozone (O 3 ) from high purity oxygen (O 2 ) in a process incorporating an electrical discharge is demonstrated. Three inert gases (Ar, Ne, He) and N 2 are individually mixed with O 2 and the results presented. The increase in ozone production is partially attributed to the increase in electron density provided by the ionization of the inert gas in the discharge.