In order to study the influence of air plasma on electrode surface and optimize the discharge electrode material of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) under atmospheric pressure in air, the experiment is done on a self-made atmospheric pressure discharge system with different electrode materials. The electrode surface composition analysis is carried out through X-ray energy dispersion spectroscopy. The results show that the surface of the aluminum electrode is oxidized. The surfaces of copper and titanium electrodes are oxidized and nitrided. And the surface of stainless steel electrode is nitrided. The aluminum electrode has strong resistance to nitriding, while the stainless steel electrode has strong resistance to oxidation. Aluminum and stainless steel electrodes are better electrodes in air DBD than other electrodes. Thus, different electrode materials can be selected according to different application environments.