Ester-Based Pyridinium Gemini Surfactants as Novel Inhibitors for Mild Steel Corrosion in 1 M HCl Solution

Abstract

AbstractThe corrosion inhibition ability of ester based pyridinium Gemini surfactants (GS) with different hydrophobic character (14-Py and 16-Py) towards mild steel (MS) in 1 M HCl solution was investigated at various concentrations and temperatures (303–333 K). Potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, weight loss, surface analysis (SEM/EDAX and AFM) and FT-IR were combined to investigate the corrosion inhibition behaviour of the surfactants. 14-Py and 16-Py were found to be efficient, mixed type inhibitors. The inhibition efficiencies increased with increasing concentration, hydrophobicity and solution temperature. The existence of a protective film of the adsorbed inhibitors on the MS surface was confirmed by SEM/EDX/AFM.