Predicting size effect on diffusion-limited current density of oxygen reduction by copper wire

The size effect of copper wire radius (0.04?C0.82 mm) on the diffusion-limited current density of an oxygen reduction reaction in stagnant simulated seawater (naturally aerated 0.5 mol/L NaCl) is investigated by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and compared with the results obtained in 0.5 mol/L H₂SO₄. In the oxygen diffusion-limited range, size effect is found to occur independent of electrolytes, which is attributed to non-linear diffusion. Additionally, to satisfy application in a marine setting, an empirical equation correlating oxygen diffusion-limited current density to copper wire radius is proposed by fitting experimental data.