Eco-friendly corrosion inhibition of steel using phenolic compounds from Cynara syriaca

This study evaluates the corrosion inhibition performance of the n-butanol (n-BuOH) fraction derived from Cynara syriaca on mild steel in acidic environments. The n-BuOH fraction achieved up to 94 % inhibition at 500 ppm, as assessed through gravimetric analysis, potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Key phenolic compounds, including kaempferol, naringenin, myricetin, chlorogenic acid, and quercetin, were identified by UPLC-MS/MS. These compounds form stable flavonoid-metal complexes, as confirmed by UV–Vis spectroscopy. FT-IR and SEM-EDS analyses revealed the formation of protective coatings and interactions with the steel surface. Polarization curves indicate that the n-BuOH fraction acts as a mixed-type inhibitor, predominantly affecting the anodic reaction. The inhibition efficiency decreased from 94.14 % to 73.43 % with increasing temperatures. Thermodynamic analysis showed an increase in activation energy (E_a = 58.20 kJ/mol) and a positive ΔH value of 56.17 kJ/mol, which can be attributed to the increased thickness of the double layer, enhancing the activation energy of the corrosion process. A Gibbs free energy (ΔG⁰_ads) value of −25.48 kJ/mol confirms that the adsorption process is spontaneous and involves both physisorption and chemisorption. pKa analysis identified specific adsorption sites. This research underscores the potential of the n-BuOH fraction as a novel, eco-friendly corrosion inhibitor, offering valuable insights for sustainable corrosion control strategies.