Comparative Computational Study of L-Amino Acids as Green Corrosion Inhibitors for Mild Steel

Experimental and Computational Study on Inhibitory Effect and Adsorption Properties of N-Acetylcysteine Amino Acid in Acid Environment

Potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were applied to study the inhibitory effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on corrosion inhibition of carbon steel in hydrochloric acid solution. N-acetylcysteine influenced the iron dissolution to a greater extent than the hydrogen evolution reaction acting as a mixed inhibitor, predominantly anodic. The charge transfer resistance (Rct) gradually increased with the inhibitor concentration. From both methods, the inhibition efficiency (IE) reached a value of 89 ± 1% and NAC adsorption followed the Temkin isotherm. The value of adsorption Gibbs energy (ΔGadso), around -35 kJ mol-1, indicated a spontaneous adsorption and mixed action mechanism, with NAC chemical adsorption prevailing over physical one. New data will be reported by the computational study, that was performed using the density functional theory (DFT) method in aqueous phase. Quantum chemical descriptors were determined by B3LYP theory level with 6-31G+(d) basis set. Metropolis Monte Carlo atomistic simulation was used to reveal the adsorption configuration and interactions between acetylcysteine molecules and the carbon steel surface. Theoretical results were consistent with the experimental data, showing that the inhibitor action mechanism consisted of mainly chemisorption of its molecules on the carbon steel surface accompanied by van der Waals forces and electrostatic interactions.

Smart Inhibition Action of Amino Acid-Modified Layered Double Hydroxide and Its Application on Carbon Steel

Surface impregnation of concrete structures with a migrating corrosion inhibitor is a promising and non-invasive technique for increasing the lifetime of existing structures that already show signs of corrosion attack. The main requirement for inhibitors is their ability to diffuse the rebar at a sufficient rate to protect steel. The use of smart nanocontainers such as layered double hydroxides (LDH) to store corrosion inhibitors significantly increases efficiency by providing an active protection from chloride-induced corrosion. The addition of LDH to reinforced mortar can also improve the compactness and mechanical properties of this matrix. Here, we report the synthesis of a magnesium-aluminum LDH storing glutamine amino acid as a green inhibitor (labeled as Mg-Al-Gln), which can be used as a migrating inhibitor on mortar specimens. The corrosion behavior of the specimens was determined via electrochemical techniques based on measurements of corrosion potential and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. A cell containing a 3.5% NaCl solution was applied to the mortar surface to promote the corrosion of embedded rebars. The specimens treated with Mg-Al-Gln presented an improved corrosion protection performance, exhibiting an increase in polarization resistance (Rp) compared to the reference specimens without an inhibitor (NO INH). This effect is a consequence of a double mechanism of protection/stimuli-responsive release of glutamine and the removal of corrosive chloride species from the medium.

Alkali salts of amino acids as alkaline additives for neutralization of acidic corrosion inhibitors

We present alkali salts of amino acids as functional, non-toxic, non-hazardous, non-volatile, chemically stable, and cheap alkaline additives for common acidic corrosion inhibitors. The resulting mixtures have been evaluated for Co, Ni, and Cu leaching and were analyzed by chip filter assay, potentiodynamic polarization measurements, electrochemical impedance measurements, and gravimetry for corrosion protection of iron and steel in aqueous environment at slightly alkaline pH. Leaching of Co and Ni was found to depend on the corresponding complex stabilities. Taurine (Tau) as well as aminohexanoic acid (AHX) leads to low leaching of Co and Ni. Particularly AHX is an attractive low leaching additive leading to lower Co and Ni concentrations in solution than currently used amino alcohols. Glu and Tau were found to synergistically interact with several acidic corrosion inhibitors of the carboxylic acid and the phosphonic acid type. Tau had a particularly positive impact on the protective properties of carboxyphosphonic acids. Glu had also a positive effect on the anti-corrosive properties of several acidic corrosion inhibitors and served as an anti-scalant. Alkali salts of Glu and Tau might thus serve as commercially and ecologically attractive substitutes for current alkaline additives to acidic corrosion inhibitors.

[4-(3-Amino-4-mehoxy-5-methylphenyl)-1-oxo-1H-phthalaz-2-yl] acetic acid hydrazide and its synergetic effect with KI as a novel inhibitor for low carbon steel corrosion in 0.5 M H2SO4

We report the synthesis of novel [4-(3-amino-4-mehoxy-5-methyl phenyl)-1-oxo-1H-phthalaz-2-yl] acetic acid hydrazide (APPH), followed by its characterization using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transforms infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, ¹H-NMR spectroscopy, and LC/MS. Further, the inhibition effect of the varying concentration of APPH on the corrosion of low steel (LCS) in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ was investigated by weight loss and electrochemical measurements at 30 °C. The percentage inhibition efficacy of APPH increased with concentration and reached about 84% at 0.5 mM at 30 °C, also rising to 88% after 6 h of exposure. According to the polarization measurements, the investigated APPH works as a mixed-type inhibitor. Furthermore, the synergistic corrosion inhibition mechanism APPH showed that the inhibition efficiency maximizes with increasing inhibitor concentration, and the maximum value was 83% at 0.5 mM APPH. The adsorption of APPH on the LCS surface is more fitting to the Langmuir isotherm model. The free energy value (–ΔG° ads) was 33.3 kJ mol⁻¹. Quantum chemical calculation was applied to APPH and acted as excellent support for the experimental data.