Combined influence of iodide ions and Xanthium Strumarium leaves extract as eco-friendly corrosion inhibitor for low-carbon steel in hydrochloric acid

The behaviour of potassium iodide (KI) as an inorganic corrosion inhibitor and Xanthium Strumarium leaves (XSL) as a green corrosion inhibitor on low-carbon steel surface in 1 ​M HCl was investigated. The mechanism of corrosion control is studied using weight loss technique, FTIR, SEM, and quantum chemical analysis. The inhibition efficiency of XSL-KI increased with temperature and blend concentration. Inhibition efficiency approached a maximum value of 97.02% at 5 ​ml/l XSL, 1.25 ​ml/l KI, and 60 ​°C. The adsorption followed the Langmuir isotherm and was based on physical and chemical mechanisms and it was discovered that the synergism parameter was less than one, indicating antagonistic adsorption. Moreover, the increased XSL inhibition was confirmed by theoretical quantum chemistry computations and the structure of XSL was confirmed by FTIR analysis. Furthermore, mathematical and statistical analysis was used for the construction of a powerful relationship between independent and dependent variables with high correlation coefficient. •Xanthium Strumarium was extracted and used as potential green corrosion inhibitor.•Potassium iodide was added to improve corrosion inhibition efficiency.•The results of SEM and FT-IR studies support the formation of inhibitor layer.•Quantum chemical results showed that Xanthium Strumarium predominantly interacts with the metal surface.•A significant mathematical models were obtained between corrosion rate and independent variables.