Enhancing corrosion protection in acidic environments through biomass-derived carbon quantum dots.

[Display omitted] • Four environmentally biomass carbon quantum dots (BCQDs) inhibitors were successfully prepared from pitaya peels. • The BCQDs are effective in inhibiting corrosion of Q235 steel in 1 M HCl. • BCQDs are mixed-type corrosion inhibitors. • The BCQDs prevent corrosive substances from attacking by self-aggregating and adsorbing. In this work, an effective and eco-friendly biomass carbon quantum dots (BCQDs) inhibitors were prepared by hydrothermal method from pitaya peels. Physicochemical characterization revealed that the particle size and carbon content of BCQD changed depending on the preparation time. In hydrochloric acid solution, BCQDs with smaller particle-sized and/or higher carbon content performed a stronger corrosion inhibition effect according to electrochemical tests. An inhibition efficiency of over 95% could be achieved. Additionally, the inhibition mechanism of BCQDs was also inferred and analyzed. It is expected that this systemic study will provide guidance for the design of nanomaterial corrosion inhibitors in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]