Synthesis and Inhibition Effect of a Novel Tri‐cationic Surfactant on Carbon Steel Corrosion in 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 Solution

A novel Tri‐cationic surfactant was synthesized, purified and characterized. The critical micelle concentration value of the prepared surfactant was determined by surface tension and conductivity measurements. The surface parameters were calculated by surface tension measurements. The relationship between the surface properties and the corrosion inhibition efficiency of the prepared surfactant was discussed. The inhibition effect of the novel Tri‐cationic surfactant on carbon steel corrosion in 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 was studied by potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and weight loss techniques. Potentiodynamic polarization studies revealed that the inhibitor acted as a mixed‐type inhibitor. The high inhibition efficiency was attributed to the blocking of active sites on the steel surface through the adsorption of inhibitor molecules. Inhibitor adsorption on the carbon steel surface was in accordance with the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. Thermodynamic adsorption and kinetic parameters were obtained from weight losses at different temperatures (20–60 °C).