Eco-friendly protocol for zinc-doped amorphous carbon-based film construction over steel surface using nature-inspired phytochemicals: Coupled experimental and classical atomic/molecular and electronic-level theoretical explorations

Abstract

Recently, due to the cost-effectiveness and eco-friendliness, the application of non-hazardous corrosion inhibitors based on plant-source extracts, which include many active phytochemicals, has become very usual in different industrial procedures. By linking the metal cations to these inhibitors, considerable protection effects are accessible. In the present work, Heracleum persicum seeds phytoextract was linked to the zinc cation (HPSE:Zn) via a cost-effective route. The inhibition performance of the fabricated film based on HPSE:Zn complexes in 3.5% NaCl media was measured by EIS (Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy) technique. Evidence proved that after 72 h iron exposure to the salty media containing 300:700 ppm HPSE:Zn, about 96% of corrosive attacks were reduced, which is much higher than most of the previous reports. Furthermore, the PDP (Potentiodynamic polarization) analysis depicted 98% efficiency via both cathodic and anodic protection. Through the ATR-FT-IR (Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) and GIXRD (Grazing Incidence X-Ray Diffraction), the adsorbed metal-organic compounds in the saline media composed of HPSE:Zn were manifested. The constructed thick protective film of Fe-HPSE-Zn complexes over the MS surface was evaluated with FE-SEM, EDS/Mapping, and AFM tests. To complement theoretical calculations explained the interfacial adsorption preference over the substrate.