Abstract

OKON NNABUK, Eddy  and  AWE, Femi. Experimental and Quantum Chemical Studies on Ethanol Extract of Phyllanthus amarus (EEPA) as a Green Corrosion Inhibitor for Aluminum in 1 M HCl. Port. Electrochim. Acta [online]. 2018, vol.36, n.4, pp.231-247. ISSN 0872-1904.  https://doi.org/10.4152/pea.201804231.

This work investigates the effectiveness of the ethanol extract of Phyllanthus amarus (EEPA) as a possible green corrosion inhibitor for aluminum in a HCl solution, using weight loss, linear and potentiodynamic polarization methods, in order to evaluate the inhibition efficiencies of the plant extract, at various concentrations. Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transformed infra red spectroscopy were used to study the surface morphology and engagement of functional groups in the corrosion inhibition process. The results obtained at 303 K from weight loss, linear polarization resistance and potentiodynamic polarization methods recorded an inhibition efficiency that ranged from 56.65 to 69.17, 65.00 to 93.93 and from 51.38 to 79.96 %, respectively. Generally, the inhibition efficiency increased with higher concentrations, but decreased with a rise in temperature. The potentiodynamic study revealed that EEPA acted as a mixed type inhibitor, and formed an insoluble film, which protected the metal against corrosion. Examination of micrographs in the inhibitor presence and absence also confirmed the role of the protective film in blocking the corrosion active sites on the metal surface. Spectra analysis obtained from Fourier transformed infra-red study indicated that EEPA was adsorbed onto the aluminum surface via C=O and OH functional groups. The inhibitor adsorption was spontaneous, exothermic, and supported the physical adsorption mechanism. Calculated quantum chemical parameters for EEPA constituents revealed that Phyllanthusin D is the most active corrosion inhibitor in the compound. HOMO and LUMO diagrams of Phyllanthusin D supported the findings from FTIR analysis.

Keywords : Corrosion; aluminium; inhibition; Phyllanthus amarus.

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