Experimental and theoretical simulations to examine the influence of nonionic surfactant on the corrosion control of mild steel in hydrochloric acid

Abstract

The increasing demand for corrosion prevention strategies that are both effective and sustainable is part of the research the background. Nonionic surfactants offer a potential replacement for traditional corrosion inhibitors. These surfactants are well-known for their low toxicity and biodegradability. The research involved conducting experimental tests (such as weight loss, polarization and impedance spectroscopy) and theoretical computations to investigate the role of nonionic surfactant (polyoxyethylene (7) tribenzyl phenyl ether) (PETPE) in controlling the corrosion of mild steel in hydrochloric acid (1.0 M HCl) environment. The results of the study demonstrated that PETPE exhibited significant corrosion inhibition properties for mild steel in HCl solution. The inhibition efficiency of PETPE was found to increase with increasing PETPE concentration. PETPE is an excellent corrosion inhibitor because it significantly reduces the rate of corrosion, as seen by the notable inhibition efficiency result (95.4%) at a relatively low dose of PETPE (100 ppm). Thermodynamic studies were used to discuss the fundamental mechanisms that control PETPE-acid interactions. The adsorption process followed Langmuir adsorption isotherm, indicating a monolayer adsorption of the PETPE on the mild surface. Theoretical computations confirm the strong inhibition behavior of PETPE. The innovative feature of this research is its comprehensive strategy, which integrates experimental studies and theoretical simulations to evaluate the impact of PETPE on the corrosion control of mild steel in hydrochloric acid. The combined effort has the ability to supply valuable knowledge into the mechanisms of corrosion that will lead to the establishment of powerful corrosion control strategies.