Highly-effective/durable method of mild-steel corrosion mitigation in the chloride-based solution via fabrication of hybrid metal-organic film (MOF) generated between the active Trachyspermum Ammi bio-molecules-divalent zinc cations

[Display omitted] •The synergistic effect between the aqueous extract of Trachyspermum Ammi seed and zinc cation was thoroughly investigated.•EIS results evidenced 94 % inhibition efficiency in the presence of 700:300 ppm Zn:T.A.•Surface explorations confirmed the formation of the Fe2+/Zn2+:T.A complexes on the MS surface.•This protection was implemented due to the anodic prevention mechanism through the donor-acceptor mechanism. This study describes a novel bio-based inhibitor to effectively mitigate the mild-steel (MS) corrosion in the 3.5 wt% NaCl solution. For this purpose, the synergistic effect between the aqueous extract of Trachyspermum Ammi (T.A) seed and divalent zinc cations was thoroughly investigated. The GIXRD, UV–vis, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy were employed to scrutinize the adsorption of the T.A-Zn2+ complexes on the metal surface. The EIS and potentiodynamic polarization studies also evidenced the outstanding corrosion protection effect of the formed protective layer. EIS results showed 94 % inhibition efficiency in the case of 700:300 ppm Zn:T.A sample.