Self-assembled monoterpenoid phenol as vapor phase atmospheric corrosion inhibitor of carbon steel

Abstract

The inhibition efficiency of сarvacrol as a non toxic volatile corrosion inhibitor for the temporary protection of mild steel was investigated. Weight loss measurements were used to measure the corrosion rate in the absence and presence of these volatile inhibitor compounds. It is demonstrated that the corrosion rate of steel decreases as its concentration increases, and the process of formation of films from the vapor phase has a long-term character. Atomic force microscopy (SEM) revealed that a protective film was formed on the surface of the inhibited sample. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy was used to characterize the adsorption of carvacrol on the steel surface. The results suggest the formation of an adsorbed inhibitor film on the steel surface, leading to a decrease in corrosion rate. Persistency experiments were also performed to evaluate the residence time for inhibitors adsorbed on carbon steel. Among the inhibitors tested, inhibitor showed very good corrosion inhibition properties as well as high persistency. The results show that carvacrol, as a mixed inhibitor, had good volatility and short induction period. The adsorption capacity of carvacrol was evaluated using quantum chemical calculations.