¹ PG and Research Department of Chemistry, GTN Arts College, Dindigul 624005, Tamil Nadu, India

² Corrosion Research Centre, Department of Chemistry, RVS School of Engineering and Technology, Dindigul 624005, India

³ Department of chemistry, Yadava College, Madurai, India

Abstract

Keywords: aluminium, corrosion inhibition, plant extracts, green inhibitors.

Introduction

Aluminium or aluminium is a silvery white member of the boron group of chemical elements. It has the symbol Al, and its atomic number is 13. It is not soluble in water under normal circumstances. Aluminium is the third most abundant element (after oxygen and silicon) and the most abundant metal in the Earth's crust. It makes up about 8% by weight of the Earth's solid surface. Aluminium metal is too reactive chemically to occur natively. Instead, it is found combined in over 270 different minerals [1].

The chief ore of aluminium is bauxite. The metal was first produced in 1825 (in an impure form) by Danish physicist and chemist Hans Christian Orsted. Friedrich Wohler conducted a similar experiment in 1827 by mixing anhydrous aluminium chloride with potassium and yielded aluminium [2].

Wohler is generally credited with isolating aluminium (Latin alumen, alum), but also Orsted can be listed as its discoverer [3]. Further, Pierre Berthier discovered aluminium in bauxite ore and successfully extracted it [4]. Charles Martin Hall of Ohio in the U.S. and Paul Heroult of France independently developed the Hall-Heroult electrolytic process that made extracting aluminium from minerals cheaper, being now the principal method used worldwide. Aluminium is a good thermal and electrical conductor, having 59% of the conductivity of copper, both thermal and electrical. Aluminium is capable of being a superconductor, with a superconducting critical temperature of 1.2 K and a critical magnetic field of about 100 Gauss (10 milliteslas) [5].

Aluminium is the most widely used non-ferrous metal [6]. Global production of aluminium in 2005 was 31.9 million tonnes. It exceeded that of any other metal except iron (837.5 million tonnes) [7]. Forecast for 2012 is 42-45 million tons, driven by rising Chinese output [8]. The common aluminium foils and beverage cans are alloys of 92% to 99% aluminium [9].

Aluminium is 100% recyclable without any loss of its natural qualities. In Europe aluminium experiences high rates of recycling, ranging from 42% of beverage cans, 85% of construction materials and 95% of transport vehicles [10]. Corrosion resistance can be excellent due to a thin surface layer of aluminium oxide that forms when the metal is exposed to air, effectively preventing further oxidation. The strongest aluminium alloys are less corrosion resistant due to galvanic reactions with alloyed copper [11]. This corrosion resistance is also often greatly reduced when many aqueous salts are present, particularly in the presence of dissimilar metals.

Natural corrosion inhibitors

Corrosion behaviour of aluminium in the presence of an aqueous extract of hibiscus rosa-sinensis has been evaluated by Rajendran et al. [13]. The inhibition efficiency (IE) of an aqueous extract of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (white) in controlling corrosion of aluminium at pH 12 has been evaluated by weight loss method in the absence and presence of Zn²⁺. The formulation consisting of 8 mL flower extract (FE) and 50 ppm of Zn²⁺ had 98% inhibition efficiency. Polarization study revealed that this formulation functioned as a cathodic inhibitor. AC impedance spectra revealed the presence of a protective film formed on the metal surface. FTIR spectra revealed that the protective film consisted of a complex formed between the active principle of the flower extract and Al³⁺.

The corrosion inhibition of non toxic plant extract of Hibiscus Teterifa on the corrosion of chill cast Al-Zn-Mg alloy in 0.5 Molar solution of NaOH was studied using weight loss method [14]. The alloy of composition 4.5% Zn, 2% Mg and balance Al was chill cast at the Foundry Shop of the National Metallurgical Development Centre, Jos, Nigeria. After casting, the alloy was cut and machined to corrosion coupons and immersed into 0.5 M solution of NaOH containing varying concentrations of the inhibitor (5-20% v/v) at temperatures of 30, 50 and 70 °C, respectively. It was found that the adsorption of Hibiscus Teterifa could prevent this alloy from weight loss and the adsorption accorded with the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Thermodynamic parameters such as adsorption heat and adsorption free energy were obtained from experimental data. The kinetic data activation energy at different concentrations of the inhibitor was calculated. The most suitable range of inhibitor concentration was discussed. The inhibitive action was satisfactorily explained by using both thermodynamic and kinetic models. The mechanism of inhibition is that of physical adsorption and the adsorbed molecules of the inhibitor lies on the surface of the alloy blocking the active corrosion sites on the alloy hence, lowering the corrosion rate.

An interesting and efficient green corrosion inhibitor for aluminium from extracts of Chlomolaena odorata L. in acidic solution has been used by Obot and Obi-Egbedi [15]. The leaf extracts of Chromolaena odorata L. (LECO) has been studied as a possible source of green inhibitor for corrosion of aluminium in 2 M HCl using gasometric and thermometric techniques at 30 and 60 °C. Results obtained showed that the LECO functioned as an excellent corrosion inhibitor for aluminium in the acidic environment. Inhibition efficiency increased with extract concentration but decreased with temperature. The adsorption of LECO on Al surface is in accord with Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Both kinetic and thermodynamic parameters governing the adsorption process were calculated and discussed. From the experimental results obtained, it can be concluded that LECO, which are biodegradable, environmentally benign, and are obtained from a renewable resource with minimal health and safety concerns have the potential to be a cost effective alternative to synthetic corrosion inhibitors. This study provides new information on the inhibiting characteristics of LECO extract under specified conditions. The environmentally friendly inhibitor could find possible applications in metal surface anodizing and surface coating in industries.

The inhibition of corrosion of aluminum in hydrochloric acid solutions by the ethanolic extract of the leaves of Ananas sativum was studied using weight loss and hydrogen evolution methods [16]. It was found that the plant extract retarded the acid induced corrosion of aluminum. Inhibition efficiency increased with increasing concentration of the extract and temperature. Adsorption studies revealed that Langmuir adsorption isotherm is the best adsorption model applicable to the adsorption of A. sativum on aluminum surface. Activation parameters such as activation energies (Ea), activation enthalpy, and activation entropy were evaluated from the effect of temperature on the corrosion and inhibition processes.

Synergistic and antagonistic effects of anions and ipomoea invulcrata as green corrosion inhibitor for aluminium dissolution in acidic medium have been investigated by Obot et al. [17]. The extract of Ipomoea invulcrata (IP) has been studied as a possible source of green inhibitor for corrosion of aluminium in 1 M HCl at 30-60 °C using the conventional weight loss technique. The studies reveal that at constant acid concentration, the plant extract acts as an effective inhibitor for aluminium corrosion in acidic medium. Inhibition efficiency increases with concentration but decreases with increase in temperature and immersion time. The enhancement of inhibition efficiency of IP with the addition of KI and KSCN has also been studied. The apparent activation energy and the thermodynamic parameters governing the corrosion process have also been calculated. The adsorption of IP was in accord with the Langmuir adsorption isotherm at all the temperatures studied. The mechanism of physical adsorption is proposed for the inhibitory action of IP and is satisfactorily explained by both kinetic and thermodynamic parameters.

Anticorrosion behaviour of zenthoxylum alatum extract in acidic media has been investigated by Chauhan [18]. The commercial non-ionic surfactant plant used as a medicine, namely Zenthoxylum alatum was tested as inhibitor for the corrosion of copper and aluminium in 0.1 M solution of HCl. Weight loss measurement and potentiometry polarization technique were used in this study. It was found that this compound acts as a good inhibitor for the acid corrosion of copper and aluminium; the inhibition efficiencies obtained by the two techniques were almost the same, and increased with increasing the concentration of the inhibitors. The polarization technique shows that the compound acts as an inhibitor. The inhibition action of the surfactant is interpreted in view of the adsorption on the metal surface making a barrier to mass and charge transfer. It was found that the adsorption of the compound follows Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The values of free energy of adsorption for them were calculated. It was found that the adsorption process is spontaneous and increases, for the different surfactant, in the same direction as the inhibition efficiency.

The synergistic action caused by iodide ions on the corrosion inhibition of aluminium (Al) in 0.5 M HCl in the presence of Azadirachia Indica (AZI) plant extract has been investigated using potentiodynamic polarization and impedance techniques [19]. It is found that AZI extract inhibits the corrosion of aluminium in 0.5 M HCl. The inhibition efficiency increases with the increase in AZI extract concentration, until 24% v/v of AZI extract, then Inh.% is decreased with father increase in AZI extract concentration. The adsorption of this extract in the studied concentration is found to obey Frewendlish adsorption isotherm. The addition of iodide ions enhances the inhibition efficiency to a considerable extent. The increase in inhibition efficiency (IE) % values in presence of fixed concentration of iodide ions indicates that AZI extract forms an insoluble complex at lower AZI extract concentrations by undergoing a joint adsorption. But at higher concentrations of AZI extract, competitive adsorption is found between iodide ions and the formed complex leading to less (IE) %. The (IE) % further decreased in the presence of iodide ions with AZI extract than in presence of AZI extract alone at all studied iodide concentrations. The synergism parameter SΘ is defined and calculated from surface coverage values. Synergism parameters have been calculated by other researchers also to investigate the synergistic effect [20-24].

Inhibition of aluminium corrosion in 2 M sodium hydroxide solution in the presence and absence of 0.5 M NaCl using damsissa (Ambrosia maritime, L.) extract has been studied employing different chemical and electrochemical techniques [25]. Chemical gasometry technique showed that addition of chloride ions or damsissa extract to sodium hydroxide solution decreases the volume of the hydrogen gas evolved. Potentiodynamic results manifested that chloride ion retard the anodic dissolution of aluminium, below the pitting potential, in sodium hydroxide solution. Damsissa extract, in presence or absence of chloride ion, influenced both the anodic dissolution of aluminium and the generated hydrogen gas at the cathode indicating that the extract behaved as a mixed-type inhibitor. The decrease in the observed limiting current with increasing damsissa extract concentration indicated that the anodic process is controlled by diffusion. Nyquist plots present two capacitive semicircles at higher and lower frequencies separated by an inductive loop at intermediate frequencies. The inductive loops were clarified by the occurrence of adsorbed intermediates on the surface. A proposed equivalent circuit was used to analyze the impedance spectra for aluminium in alkaline solutions. The results showed that the damsissa extract could serve as an effective inhibitor for the corrosion of aluminium in alkaline solutions. The impedance measurements verified the remarkable stability of the extracts during storage up to 35 days. Damsissa extract was found more effective in presence of chloride ions than in its absence. Inhibition was found to increase with increasing the concentration of the extract but decreases with increasing temperature. The associated activation parameters have been determined and discussed.

Adsorption and corrosive inhibitive properties of Vigna unguiculata in alkaline and acidic media have been reported by Umoren et al. [26].The main objective of the work was to investigate the adsorption behaviour and inhibitive effect of Vigna unguiculata (VU) extract (agricultural waste material) for aluminium corrosion in 0.5 M NaOH and H₂SO₄. The inhibitive effect of the plant extract was assessed using weight loss method at 30 and 60 oC. The trend of inhibition efficiency with temperature was used to propose the mechanism of inhibition and type of adsorption. VU extract effectively inhibited aluminium corrosion in both alkaline and acidic media. Inhibition efficiency (I %) of the extract increased with increase in concentration of the extract and temperature. Inhibitor adsorption characteristics were approximated by Freundlich and Temkin adsorption isotherms at all the concentrations and temperatures studied. The phenomenon of chemical adsorption is proposed from the activation parameters obtained. Research limitations/implications - The mechanistic aspect of the corrosion inhibition can be better understood using electrochemical studies such as polarization and AC impedance spectra. The findings may be useful in metal surface anodizing and metal coating.

The corrosion inhibition of aluminium in HC1 in the presence of Carica papaya (CP) and Azadirachta indica (AI) at 30-40 °C was studied using the weight loss, thermometric and hydrogen evolution techniques [29]. The inhibition efficiency (%I) increased with increase in concentration of the extracts and with increase in temperature. CP is a better inhibitor at 30 °C, whereas AI is better at 40 °C. CP and AI were found to obey Freundlich, Temkin and Flory-Huggins adsorption isotherms at all concentrations studied at 40 °C. Phenomenon of chemical adsorption is proposed from the obtained Ea, ΔG_ads and Q_ads values calculated.

Inhibition of aluminum corrosion using Opuntia extract has been investigated by EL-Etre [30]. The inhibitive action of the mucilage extracted from the modified stems of prickly pears, toward acid corrosion of aluminum, is tested using weight loss, thermometry, hydrogen evolution and polarization techniques. It was found that the extract acts as a good corrosion inhibitor for aluminum corrosion in 2.0 M HCl solution. The inhibition action of the extract was discussed in view of Langmuir adsorption isotherm. It was found that the adsorption of the extract on aluminum surface is a spontaneous process. The inhibition efficiency (IE) increases as the extract concentration is increased. The effect of temperature on the IE was studied. It was found that the presence of extract increases the activation energy of the corrosion reaction. Moreover, the thermodynamic parameters of the adsorption process were calculated. It was found also that the Opuntia extract provides a good protection to aluminum against pitting corrosion in chloride ion containing solutions.

Corrosion control by water-soluble extracts from leaves of economic plants has been studied by Rehan [31]. Water extracts from leaves of date palm, phoenix dactylifera, henna, Lawsonia inermis, and corn, Zea mays, were tested as corrosion inhibitors for steel, aluminum, copper and brass in acid chloride and sodium hydroxide solutions using weight loss, solution analysis and potential measurements. The inhibition action was found to critically depend on metal type and solution composition. Only, date palm and henna extracts were found highly effective in reducing corrosion rate of steel in acid chloride solutions and aluminum in sodium hydroxide solutions. The inhibition efficiency increased with increasing the concentration of the extract. The inhibition was interpreted in terms of chemisorption of some active ingredients in the leaves according to Temkin isotherm.

Inhibition of corrosion of the Al-2.5Mg alloy by means of the third acidic phenolic subfraction of aqueous extract of Rosemary. Radosevic et al. have examined the possibility of inhibition of corrosion of the Al-2.5Mg alloy in deaerated w = 3 % NaCl solution at 25 °C, by the means of the third acidic phenolic subfraction of the aqueous extract of Rosemary leaves [32]. The polyphenolic constituents were extracted from the plant material with water (maceration 6 h, room temperature). The raw extract was purified by means of diethyl ether. Fractionation into acidic and neutral phenolic compounds was carried out on Sep Pak C18 cartridges (Waters Associates, Milford, MA, USA). The ferulic acid was identified by its retention time, using the external standard method. The measurements were performed in the electrochemical glass cell of the usual type with a platinum counter electrode and a saturated calomel electrode in contact with working electrode via Luggin capillary. The additives were added in varying concentrations (from 1×10^-6 to 1×10^-3 mol dm^-3) to the basic solution. Potentiodynamic polarization curves were produced using a potentiostat (PAR M273) with scanning rate of 2 mV s^-1. Anodic and cathodic branches of the polarization curves were recorded and joined into a Tafel diagram. The least squares method was used to extrapolate Tafel straight lines and to determine the electrochemical parameters. High-pressure liquid chromatography in the reverse phase (HPLC-RP) has been used to examine the composition of the third subfraction and it has confirmed that it consists of ferulic acid. Experiments on the commercial ferulic acid were also made. The potentiodynamic polarization measurements suggest that ferulic acid is responsible for the inhibition action of the third acidic phenolic subfraction of the aqueous extract of rosemary. From the polarization curves may be deduced that the third acidic phenolic subfraction acts as a cathodic type corrosion inhibitor. The results have indicated that the inhibitor adsorbs on the alloy surface according to Freundlich adsorption isotherm, and the values obtained for the standard free energy of adsorption indicate physical adsorption.

Economic losses due to corrosion are direct, as well as indirect and affect the economy of all the countries. Corrosion inhibitors are one of the widely used methods to control corrosion. Particular advantage of the corrosion inhibitor is that it can often be implemented or changed in the situation without disturbing the process. Due to toxic nature and high cost of some inhibitors currently in use it is nearly to develop environmentally acceptable and less expensive inhibitors. Natural products can be considered as a good source for this purpose. An evaluation of effective performance of seed extract of abrusprecatorius on corrosion inhibition of aluminium in sodium hydroxide at ambient temperature has been made by Rajalakshmi et al. [33]. Conventional weight loss and polarization measurement techniques were used for evaluation. Surface coverage values were tested graphically for suitable adsorption isotherms.

Obot and Obi-Egbedi have reported the inhibitive action of the root of ginseng on aluminium corrosion in HCl solution using weight loss method at 30-60 °C [34]. Results obtained showed that ginseng root functioned as an effective and excellent inhibitor in the acid medium. Corrosion rate increased both in the absence and presence of the inhibitor with increase in temperature. Corrosion rate was also found to decrease in the presence of the inhibitor compared to the free acid solution. Inhibition efficiency increases with increase in concentration of the inhibitor but decreases with increase in temperature, reaching a maximum of 93.1% at 30 °C at 50 % v/v concentration of ginseng. Addition of iodide ions to the root extracts of ginseng enhances the inhibition efficiency considerably and the effect is more pronounced at higher temperatures. The adsorption of extract components onto the aluminium surface was found to be a spontaneous process and to follow the Freundlich adsorption isotherm. The free energies, enthalpy and entropy for the adsorption process as well as the energy of activation, enthalpy of activation and entropy of activation for the dissolution process were determined and discussed. A mechanism of physical adsorption of the root components on the surface of the metal is proposed for the inhibition behavior.

SEM-EDS Characterization of Natural Products on Corrosion Inhibition of Al-Mg-Si Alloy has been studied by R. Rosliza and S. Izman [35] .The corrosion resistance of aluminum and its alloys is the subject of tremendous technological importance due to their increased industrial applications. The corrosion protections and the mechanism of corrosion inhibitions of natural products for an Al-Mg-Si alloy in seawater were investigated at room temperature. The surface morphology was studied by means of macro scale electrochemical techniques and localized microscopic methods, i.e., Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) with associated elemental analysis by Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS). SEM examinations provided morphological characterization of the surface of Al-Mg-Si alloy sample before and after immersion in seawater; meanwhile surface analytical techniques by the EDS allowed us to investigate detail the chemical composition of aluminum oxide layers. The experiments were performed with Al-Mg-Si alloy, immersed in a 5 L beaker containing seawater with and without the natural products for 60 days at room temperature. The SEM results indicate that the natural products (natural honey, vanillin, and tapioca starch) absolutely inhibited the corrosion products on the specimen surfaces. They also protected the passive film from dissolution in seawater. The EDS spectra have determined carbonaceous, carbonyl, methoxy and hydroxyl groups as functional groups of natural products in the inhibition mechanism.

References