An effective and smart corrosion inhibitor in acidic environment: Experimental & theoretical studies

The application of corrosion inhibitors is the best way to protect metals from degradation. Therefore, the P-anisidine molecule was investigated as a corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in a 1 M HCl medium. This study used different methods, such as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, polarization potentiodynamic curves, scanning electron microscopy, and theoretical method. The addition of this molecule to the aggressive medium achieved inhibition of 81% at a concentration of 10(-3)M. The potentiodynamic polarization curves reveal a mixed type character (anodic and cathodic) and adsorb on the metal surface according to Langmuir adsorption isotherm. This adsorption was also proved by scanning electron microscopy proving the presence of a protective layer on the steel surface used. The theoretical results confirmed the experimental part and showed that P-anisidine adsorbed parallel onto the steel surface covering a large surface area.