Electrochemical behaviour of acetyl G as corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in acid medium

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop an eco-friendly corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in 1 M HCl. Design/methodology/approach – A pharmaceutical drug acetyl G was investigated for its corrosion inhibition efficiency using weight loss method, potentiodynamic polarisation and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Findings – The inhibition efficiency increased with increase in inhibitor concentration. Results from polarisation studies revealed mixed type of inhibition. Impedance studies, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform spectroscopy confirm the adsorption of inhibitor on the mild steel surface. Research limitations/implications – The drug acetyl G has sulphur and nitrogen atoms which effectively block the corrosion of mild steel and is non-toxic and has good inhibition efficiency. Practical implications – This method provides an excellent, non-toxic and cost-effective material as a corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in acid medium. Originality/value – Application of this drug as a corrosion inhibitor has not been reported yet in the literature. Replacing the organic inhibitors, this green inhibitor shows excellent inhibition efficiency. This is adsorbed excellently on the mild steel surface due to the presence of long chain and hetero atoms. Thus, the drug retards the corrosion reaction.