Evaluation of Drugs as Corrosion Inhibitors for Metals: A Brief Review

Abstract

The use of chemical inhibitors is crucial to keep corrosion in check. Various inorganic and organic compounds are used as inhibitors, although their usage is being phased out in favors of newer and less toxic inhibitor types that produce desired results. For this purpose, the drugs are considered an excellent alternative to the toxic inhibitors, as the drug molecules contain heteroatoms oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur, and they are less hazardous to the environment. Drugs are successfully inhibiting the corrosion of various metals like Steel, Zn, Cu, Al, etc. and generally, their corrosion inhibition efficiency is verified by employing the Weight Loss Technique, Electrochemical Analysis, and surface morphology are investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy, etc. In this review article majority of the literature's past studies on the usage of drugs as corrosion inhibitors for different metals are summarized along with the main techniques used for corrosion inhibition study.