Inhibition of Steel Corrosion in Nitric Acid by Sulfur Containing Compounds

Abstract

The inhibitive mechanism, thermodynamics, and adsorptive properties of thiobarbituric acid (TBA) and thiourea (TU) on the corrosion of mild steel in 0.5 M HNO3 solution have been investigated using potentiodynamic, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques, and quantum chemical calculations. Both inhibitors showed good inhibition efficiency in nitric acid solution. TU was the most effective inhibitor and its inhibition efficiency increases with increasing concentration to attain 99% at 6 × 10−3 mol · L−1 at 30°C. Theoretical fitting of different isotherms, Langmuir, Flory–Huggins, Temkin, and the kinetic-thermodynamic models were tested to clarify the nature of inhibitors adsorption on mild steel surface. The obtained experimental data fitted all the applied adsorption isotherms except Langmuir. The thermodynamic activation parameters were determined to provide evidence of the inhibitory effect of TBA and TU. To determine the surface charge at the steel surface in nitric acid solution the potential of zero charge was measured using AC measurements at different potentials. Quantum chemical parameters were calculated and explained. The data clarified that the inhibition of steel in nitric acid by TU or TBA takes place through physicochemical adsorption mechanism.