What type of material can ozone molecularly break down?

Ozone is a powerful oxidizing agent that can effectively break down certain organic materials, and rubber is one of the materials that ozone can degrade through a process known as ozone cracking. This phenomenon occurs because ozone attacks the double bonds in rubber's molecular structure, which can lead to a weakening of the material and ultimately its breakdown.

In contrast, ozone does not have the same effect on inorganic materials like metals or less reactive polymers like plastics. Wood can also be affected by ozone, but the degradation is not as direct or pronounced as with rubber. Understanding the specific interactions of ozone with different materials is crucial in fields such as cleaning and remediation, where controlled use of ozone is applied to eliminate odors or contaminants.