Experimental and computational evaluations of cefotaxime sodium drug as an efficient and green corrosion inhibitor for aluminum in NaOH solution

Avoiding aluminum corrosion in alkaline media is critical in many heavy industrial fields. However, developing facile and effective Al corrosion inhibitors is a key solution for commercialization. In this study, cefotaxime sodium drug (Cefo) is investigated as Al corrosion inhibitor in 0.1 M NaOH. Full electrochemical experiments and theoretical calculations have been investigated under various conditions. Topographical surface analyses such as FESEM/EDAX and XPS are utilized to identify the change in morphological surface and composition of Al surface. According to the electrochemical results, Cefo functions as a cathodic inhibitor, and its inhibition efficacy increases with increasing concentrations up to 300 ppm while decreasing with rising solution temperature. Furthermore, Cefo adsorption on the Al surface is mixed, a spontaneous process that follows Freundlich's adsorption isotherm. Furthermore, the XPS and FESEM/EDAX analyses confirm the existence of protective adsorbed layers on the Al surface. Theoretical simulations support the adsorption of protective Cefo layers onto the Al surface, which is compatible with electrochemical and surface analysis data. •Cefotaxime sodium drug as an eco-friendly and powerful Al corrosion inhibitor.•Electrochemical and molecular modelling of the Cefo inhibitor are investigated.•The impact of Cefo inhibitor concentration is optimized.•The maximum inhibition efficiency of Cefo was 71.8% at 300 mg/L. .