Functionalized carbon nanotubes as a novel inhibitor to enhance the anticorrosion performance of carbon steel in CO2-saturated NaCl solution

Abstract

Functionalized carbon nanotubes (FCNTs) were synthesized by hydrothermal method and adopted as a corrosion inhibitor of carbon steel in CO2-saturated NaCl solution. Results revealed that FCNTs can effectively inhibit carbon steel corrosion, and their inhibition efficiency is close to 90 % at the concentration of 100 mg L−1. FCNTs can adsorb on carbon steel via functionalized groups and make up the hydrophobic layer on the metal surface, which also inhibits the diffusion migration of corrosive mediums as confirmed by molecular dynamics simulation. Adsorption kinetic and thermodynamic isotherm were studied to discuss the difference of FCNTs with traditional inhibitors.