Hybridization and analysis of plants extracts as corrosion inhibitors for mild steel in 2m H2SO4 solution

Abstract

Corrosion is the deterioration of materials by chemical interaction with their environment. The consequences of corrosion includes, reduction of metal thickness leading to loss of mechanical strength and structural failure or breakdown, hazards and reduced value of goods due to deterioration of appearance etc. The aim of this work is to improve the corrosion inhibition characteristics of Neem leaf extract through hybridization with banana peels extract on Mild steel in 2m H₂SO₄ solution. The fines powdered of the different samples of plants were extracted using ethanol and concentrated via Soxhlet apparatus. A weight loss experiment was used to assess the inhibition efficiency (IE) of individual and mixed extracts. Results indicate that the hybrid extract with 60% neem and 40% banana peel achieved optimal IE of 83.23% in 2 M H₂SO₄ and 85% in seawater. Corrosion rate decreased with increased inhibitor concentration, suggesting physisorption of the extracts on the steel surface. The study demonstrates the potential of plant-based hybrid inhibitors as sustainable alternatives to toxic synthetic chemicals. The hybrid inhibitor can be use in: Acid pickling, Engine coolants, Greases, rolling oils, lubricants, surface cleaners, gasoline and diesel fuels, cutting fluids, circulating oils, bleaching, synthetic fluids etc.