Alpha-linoleic acid (ALA) as a corrosion inhibitor for XC48 steel in H2SO4 medium: an experimental and computational study

Iron and steel materials are extensively used in many industries due to low cost and availability. We suggested alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) to slow down the corrosion of XC48 steel in H2SO4 solution. We chose ALA because it comprises a carboxylic group and an aliphatic chain containing 17 carbons with three double bonds. This work was conducted by electrochemical measurements (stationary current-voltage curves) and gravimetric measurements (weight loss method) at various temperatures (298-348 K). The findings show that this agent acts as a strong inhibitor in a large concentration range. The inhibition effect is 92% at a concentration of 5 center dot 10-3 M. Adsorption and activation parameters were also evaluated. Conceptual Density Functional Theory calculations and the results of the Molecular Dynamic Simulation Approach are in good agreement with the experimental observations.