Synergistic effect of iodide ions on inhibitive performance of 2,5-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole during corrosion of mild steel in 0.5 M sulfuric acid solution

Abstract

The synergistic effect of iodide ions on the corrosion inhibition of mild steel in 0.5 M H2SO4 solutions by 2,5-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole (4-MTH) has been studied using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and the Tafel polarisation method. The results showed that the inhibition efficiency increased with 4-MTH concentration while the potential of desorption (Ed) remained unchanged. The addition of potassium iodide (KI) in the acid solution stabilized the adsorption of 4-MTH molecules on the metal surfaces and, therefore, enhanced the inhibition efficiency of 4-MTH and increased the value of Ed. The synergistic effect was observed between KI and 4-MTH with an optimum mass ratio of [4-MTH]/[KI] = 5/5. The calculated values of synergism parameter (Sθ) from the coverage of the surface were found to be more than unity in most cases. This clearly showed the synergistic influence of iodide ions on the corrosion inhibition of mild steel in 0.5 M H2SO4 by 4-MTH. The adsorption of this inhibitor alone and in combination with iodide ions followed Langmuir’s adsorption isotherm.