Eco-friendly biomass from Ziziphus spina-christi for protection of carbon steel in acidic conditions – Parameter effects and corrosion mechanism studies.

The eco-friendly plant extract based corrosion inhibitor, synthesized using Ziziphus spina-christi, was investigated for its corrosion control and surface protection potential for carbon steel under acidic conditions. The influence of process parameters, corrosion inhibitor concentration (160–810 ppm), operating temperature (330.15–315.15 K) and immersion time (4–24 h), on inhibition efficiency was evaluated. Based on mass loss experiments, the maximum inhibition efficiency achieved was found to be 91.35% at 810 ppm inhibitor concentration and 300.15 K. Corrosion rate decreased with increase in inhibitor dose which could be due to enhanced surface coverage. The activation energy associated with this process indicated surface interaction as the main mechanism and positive values of enthalpy change confirmed the endothermic nature. The electrochemical parameters, namely corrosion potential (E corr), anodic and cathodic Tafel constants (β a and β c), and corrosion current density (i corr) were calculated, and the inhibitor was found to be mixed type. Through double-layer capacitance, the increase in corrosion resistance was proved. The active functional groups associated with corrosion inhibitor were identified. [Display omitted] • Corrosion inhibition of carbon steel under acidic environment is studied using Ziziphus spina-christi extract. • Inhibition efficiency was studied using mass loss, polarization and EIS studies. • Surface characterization of corrosion inhibitor and metal specimen are conducted using ATR and SEM analyses. • The corrosion inhibitor is found to be mixed type. • Monolayer surface coverage of the metal by the corrosion inhibitor is confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]