Inhibitive Properties and Computational Approach of Organoselenides on Mild Steel Corrosion in Acidic Environment

Abstract

The activity of organoselenides as corrosion inhibitors for mild steel (MS) in 1.0 M hydrochloric acid was evaluated via electrochemical, surface examination and computational chemical methods. The results revealed that the corrosion inhibition percentage (% IE) of organoselenides reached more than 80% with little concentration. Tafel curves showed that organoselenides act as mixed-type inhibitors. EIS measurements indicated that organoselenides mitigate MS corrosion by adsorption on the surface. SEM and AFM analysis depicted the significant improvement in the MS surface in the presence of organoselenides, protecting the surface owing to the formation of an inhibitive film over the metallic surface. Also, DFT computations were conducted on the active form of the investigated compounds. Results from the practical experiments and theoretical calculations suggested that organoselenides are promising inhibitor candidates for corrosion of MS in 1.0 M hydrochloric acid.