DFT and Electrochemical Investigations on the Corrosion Inhibition of Mild Steel by Novel Schiff’s Base Derivatives in 1 M HCl Solution

Exploring the potent corrosion inhibition properties of phenolic Schiff bases on mild steel in acidic environments, part A: coupling experimental and theoretical investigations

In this study, we conduct a comparative investigation into the corrosion inhibition properties of two Schiff base compounds, namely 4,4'-((1E,1'E)-(ethane-1,2 diylbis(azaneylylidene))bis(methaneylylidene))diphenol (PSB5) and (1E,1'E)-N,N'-(ethane-1,2 diyl)bis(1-(4-nitrophenyl)methanimine) (PSB6), on mild steel in an acidic environment. The inhibitory efficiency and adsorption behavior of the inhibitors were assessed through electrochemical and gravimetric analyses. The inhibitors' deposition was further verified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The findings of electrochemical tests demonstrate that these chemical compounds are potent inhibitors, with 96.5% inhibition provided by PSB5 at 10-3 M. Therefore, PSB5 and PSB6 inhibitors are likely of mixed-form, as evidenced by changes in their Ecorr values of 59.8 mV and 33.0 mV, respectively when compared to the blank solution. Furthermore, the adsorption of these inhibitors onto the MS surface, as determined by the Langmuir adsorption isotherm, yielded free energy values of - 38.40 kJ mol-1 for PSB5 and - 35.20 kJ mol-1 for PSB6. These findings highlight a robust and spontaneous adsorption process for both inhibitors. Surface analysis using SEM-EDS revealed the preservation of the mild steel surface morphology and the adsorption of inhibitors. Theoretical investigations utilizing density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations supported and complemented the experimental findings. This research enhances the understanding of the corrosion protection potential of Schiff base compounds and their potential applications in various industries.

Exploratory evaluation supported by experimental and modeling approaches of Inula viscosa root extract as a potent corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in a 1 M HCl solution

The corrosion of metals poses a threat to the economy, the environment, and human health due to undesirable reactions and contaminated products. Corrosion inhibitors, including natural products, can play a key role in protecting metallic materials, especially under challenging conditions. In this study, the roots of the Inula viscosa plant were examined for their ability to act as corrosion inhibitors in a 1 M hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution. Different extracts of the plant were evaluated for their corrosion inhibition capacity in a 1 M HCl solution. The effectiveness of different plant extracts was assessed, including an aqueous extract, an ethanolic extract, and a combined water-ethanol extract. Compounds present in the roots of Inula viscosa were identified using high-performance liquid chromatography. The electrochemical properties of the extracts were studied using various techniques such as open circuit potential, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and potentiodynamic polarization. Additionally, surface analysis after immersion was performed using scanning electron microscopy. Electrochemical data revealed that Inula viscosa root (IVR) extracts acted as mixed-type corrosion inhibitors with pronounced cathodic characteristics. The inhibitory efficiency was closely related to the concentration of Inula viscosa (I. viscosa), showing a significant increase with higher concentrations. This resulted in a decrease in corrosion current and an increase in polarization resistance. Notably, inhibitory efficiency reached high levels, up to 97.7% in mixed extract which represents a mixture between water and ethanol. In our study, it was observed that the mixed extract (water + ethanol) allowed for a greater corrosion inhibition compared to the other solvents studied, 97.7%. Surface analyses confirmed the formation of an organic film layer on the steel surface, attributed to the bonding of functional groups and heteroatoms in I. viscosa components. Therefore, this study paves the way for the potential integration of I. viscosa as a promising corrosion inhibition material, offering durable protection against steel corrosion and opening avenues for various related applications.

Chemical, electrochemical, and quantum investigation into the use of an organophosphorus derivative to inhibit copper corrosion in acidic environments

In order to protect the copper against corrosion, a novel corrosion inhibitor known as diphenyl ((2-aminoethyl) amino) (4-methoxyphenyl) methyl) phosphonate (DAMP) was developed. Acid solutions of HCl and H2SO4 were the aggressive solutions employed in this study. Analysis using the FT-IR, 1H-NMR, 31P-NMR, 13C-NMR and BET confirmed that the DAMP was successfully synthesized. The anti-corrosion capabilities of DAMP are evaluated using a combination of chemical, electrochemical and quantum studies. The DAMP has been found to be crucial in preventing the corrosion of copper in both HCl and H2SO4 acid. This was obviously implied by the observation that the corrosion rate of copper in acid solutions decreased when DAMP was added. It is significant to note that 180 ppm produced the highest levels of inhibiting efficiency (96.6% for HCl and 95.2% for H2SO4). The tendency of DAMP to adsorb on the surface of copper through its hetero-atoms (O, N, and P) is the main factor for the anti-corrosion capabilities of DAMP. Results from SEM/EDX tests supported this. The actual adsorption takes place via various active centers, physical and chemical mechanisms that are coordinated with the estimated quantum parameters. Additionally, the adsorption of DAMP adheres to the Langmuir isotherm.

Synthesis, surface activity, and corrosion inhibition capabilities of new non-ionic gemini surfactants

Several environmentally acceptable non-ionic gemini surfactants are synthesized in this work using natural sources, including polyethenoxy di-dodecanoate (GSC12), polyethenoxy di-hexadecanoate (GSC16), and polyethenoxy di-octadecenoate (GSC18). The produced surfactants are confirmed by spectrum studies using FT-IR, 1HNMR, and 13CNMR. It explored and examined how the length of the hydrocarbon chain affected essential properties like foaming and emulsifying abilities. Surface tension examinations are used to assess the surface activity of the examined gemini surfactants. The lower value of critical micelle concentrations (0.381 × 10-4M) is detected for GSC18. Their spontaneous character is shown by the negative values of the free energy of adsorption (ΔGads) and micellization (ΔGmic) which arranged in the order GSC18 > GSC16 > GSC12. Based on theoretical, weight loss, and electrochemical investigations, these novel surfactants were investigated for their possible use in inhibiting carbon steel from corroding in 1 M HCl. Measuring results show that GSC18 inhibits corrosion in carbon steel by 95.4%. The isotherm of adsorption evaluated for the investigated inhibitors and their behavior obeys Langmuir isotherm.

New 2,4-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazole-3-selones and 3,3'-di(4H-1,2,4-triazolyl)diselenides. Synthesis, biological evaluation, and in silico studies as antibacterial and fungicidal agents

The reaction of aromatic ring-substituted isoselenocyanates with 2-thiopheacetic and 4-pyridinecarboxylic acid hydrazides yielded selenosemicarbazides which were further converted into previously unknown 1,2,4-triazole-3-selones and 3,3'-di(4H-1, 2,4-triazolyl)diselenides. The structures of the obtained compounds were studied by NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, and high-resolution mass spectroscopy (HR-MS). The bactericidal and fungicidal activity of some obtained compounds was evaluated in molecular modeling studies such as docking and simulation studies. The compound 3ba was reported as the most promising compound to show robust binding energy with different antibacterial and antifungal compounds. The compounds were observed in strong hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions and remained in stable binding conformation with the receptor enzymes. Furthermore, the interatomic interaction energies were dominated by Van der Waals and electrostatic energies indicating the formation of stable complexes.

Synthesis, Characterization, Antibacterial, Antifungal and Anticorrosion Activities of 1,2,4-Triazolo[1,5-a]quinazolinone

The synthesis of 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[5,1-b]quinazolin-9(4H)-one (THTQ), a potentially biologically active compound, was pursued, and its structure was determined through a sequence of spectral analysis, including ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, IR, and HRMS. Four bacterial and four fungal strains were evaluated for their susceptibility to the antibacterial and antifungal properties of the THTQ compound using the well diffusion method. The impact of THTQ on the corrosion of mild steel in a 1 M HCl solution was evaluated using various methods such as weight loss, potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. The study revealed that the effectiveness of THTQ as an inhibitor increased with the concentration but decreased with temperature. The PDP analysis suggested that THTQ acted as a mixed-type inhibitor, whereas the EIS data showed that it created a protective layer on the steel surface. This protective layer occurs due to the adsorption behavior of THTQ following Langmuir's adsorption isotherm. The inhibition potential of THTQ is also predicted theoretically using DFT at B3LYP and Monte Carlo simulation.

Computational Design of Anticorrosion Properties of Novel, Low-Molecular Weight Schiff Bases

Due to the many economic consequences and technological problems caused by the corrosion process, its inhibition is one of the most important aspects of ongoing research. Computer methods, i.e., density functional theory (DFT) methods, are of great importance to the large-scale research being conducted which allows the evaluation of the corrosion inhibition performance without conducting time-consuming, long-term and expensive experimental measurements. In this study, new corrosion inhibitors were designed in three corrosion environments on the basis of their HOMO and LUMO orbital energies-the energy difference between them and their dipole moment. In addition, their interactions with the Fe and Cu surface were modelled on the basis of the number of electrons transferred during the formation of the protective adsorption layer (ΔN) and the initial energy between inhibitor molecule and protected metal surface (Δψ). The obtained results indicate that, among the aliphatic investigated Schiff bases, the N-methylpropan-1-imine (N-MP(1)I) molecule would theoretically have the highest corrosion inhibition efficiency mainly due to its high E_HOMO value, relatively low E_LUMO value, high chemical reactivity and high polarity.

Theoretical Study and Adsorption Behavior of Urea on Mild Steel in Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) Medium

The continuous search for eco-friendly corrosion inhibitors due to differences in corrosive media remains an important point in corrosion control. The experimental studies on the corrosion inhibition of urea on mild steel in automotive gas oil (AGO) was conducted using gasometric techniques and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The theoretical approach on the density functional theory (DFT) on the urea molecule was carried out using Gaussian 09 software. The adsorption behavior of urea molecules on the surface of the mild steel was analyzed using Frumkin and Flory-Huggins adsorption isotherms models and Gibb’s free energy, respectively. The result of the experimental study shows a poor corrosion inhibitory effect of urea on mild steel in automobile gas oil (AGO) medium as the inhibition efficiency decreased from 69.30% in week 1 to 12% in week 11 at 200 ppm of inhibitor. The adsorption of urea on the mild steel surface obeys Frumkin’s adsorption isotherm model. Gibb’s free energy of adsorption of urea molecules onto mild steel surface revealed a physisorption mechanism. SEM results showed the non-inhibitive nature of urea on the studied mild steel. Quantum chemical parameters such as HOMO, LUMO, electron affinity, electronegativity, and the fraction of electrons transferred to the metal surface were calculated and interpreted to compare the experimental and theoretical results. The theoretical findings in the current investigation were not in agreement with the experimental result, thereby creating a need for further study using the electrochemical method.

Thiophene derivatives as corrosion inhibitors for 2024-T3 aluminum alloy in hydrochloric acid medium

Thiophene derivatives, namely (E)-thiophene-2-carbaldehyde oxime (OXM) and (E)-5-(thiophen-2-yl)-1H-tetrazole (TET), were synthesized and characterized via¹H and ¹³C NMR. Furthermore, their inhibitory property for AA2024-T3 in 1 M HCl solution was investigated via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarization at 293 K, together with DFT/B3LYP-based calculations. Numerous global and local descriptors of reactivity such as EHOMO, ELUMO, energy gap, electronegativity (χ), hardness (η), and frontier molecular orbital repartitions were investigated to describe the reactivity of each molecule. Alternatively, Monte Carlo simulations were performed under the solvation condition on the Al (111) surface to understand the adsorption behavior of the as-studied inhibitors deeply. The inhibition efficiency increased with an increase in the inhibitor concentration, achieving maximum values of 94.0% and 96% at 10⁻³ M, respectively. The polarization curves showed that the examined compounds act as mixed-type inhibitors. In addition, the adsorption of these compounds obeyed the Al Awady, Flory-Huggins and Temkin isotherms. The surface characterization analysis via SEM/EDX confirmed the presence of a barrier layer covering the aluminum surface. The experimental inhibition efficiencies were correlated with global descriptors, which confirmed that this theoretical study is useful for the protection of aluminum alloy metal in an acidic medium.

Thiophene derivatives: thiophene-2-carbaldehyde oxime (OXM) and 5-(thiophen-2-yl)-1H-tetrazole (TET), were synthesized and characterized. Furthermore, their inhibitory property for AA2024-T3 in 1 M HCl solution was investigated via electrochemical and with theoretical study.