Corrosion inhibition of aminated hydroxyl ethyl cellulose on mild steel in acidic condition

•The aminated hydroxyethyl cellulose inhibits mild steel corrosion in HCl.•FTIR studies confirmed the adsorption of inhibitor on mild steel surface.•SEM and AFM analysis confirmed the presence of protective film on mild steel. Aminated hydroxyethyl cellulose (AHEC) was synthesized, characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and the corrosion inhibition of AHEC on mild steel in 1M HCl was studied using chemical and electrochemical studies. Results obtained in weight loss method showed that inhibition efficiency increased with increase in concentration of AHEC. The adsorption of the inhibitor on metal surface followed Frumkin isotherm. Polarization studies revealed that the AHEC inhibits through mixed mode. Thermodynamic parameters and activation energy were calculated and discussed. FTIR and X-ray diffraction studies (XRD) confirmed the adsorption of the inhibitor. The surface morphology was studied using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM).