New Imidazol-1-ium Bromide Derivative Surfactants as Corrosion Inhibitors for Carbon Steel in 1 M HCl Solutions: Experimental and Theoretical Studies

The inhibition properties of two imidazol-1-ium bromide compounds, namely, 1-hexyl-1-methyl-1 H -imidazol-1-ium bromide and 1-dodecyl-1-methyl-1 H -imidazol-1-ium bromide on the carbon steel corrosion in 1.0 MHCl were estimated using mass loss, electrochemical, and theoretical studies. The new investigated compounds are easily prepared, low-cost, and effective corrosion inhibitors. It is found that these compounds act as excellent inhibitors and act as mixed-type inhibitors. EIS showed that the investigated compounds act by the creation of a protective film at the metal surface. The outcomes show that the inhibition effect of the investigated compounds is affected by the increasing concentration and the capability to produce micelles in an aqueous solution. The adsorption of imidazol-1-ium bromide derivatives is a physical type and agrees with Langmuir adsorption isotherm. SEM, AFM, and FTIR spectroscopy were used to study the morphology of the C-steel surface and the protecting film on the surface. The relationship between experimental results and theoretical calculations was confirmed. The results obtained open visions for the use of these surfactants as corrosion inhibitors. The data from different methods were in acceptable agreement.