Corrosion inhibition behavior of propyl phosphonic acid–Zn2+ system for carbon steel in aqueous solution

The effectiveness of propyl phosphonic acid (PPA) as a corrosion inhibitor in association with a bivalent cation like Zn2+ has been studied. An eco-friendly inhibitor in controlling corrosion of carbon steel in neutral aqueous medium in the absence and presence of Zn2+ has been evaluated by gravimetric method. Impedance studies of the metal/solution interface indicated that the surface film is highly protective against the corrosion of carbon steel in the aqueous environment. Potentiodynamic polarization studies showed that the inhibitor is a mixed inhibitor. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analysis (XPS) of the protective film exhibited the presence of the elements viz., iron, phosphorus, oxygen, carbon and zinc. The chemical shifts in the binding energies of these elements inferred that the surface film is composed of oxides/hydroxides of iron(III), Zn(OH)2 and [Fe(II)/(III)–Zn(II)–PPA] complex. Further, the surface analysis techniques viz., FT-IR, AFM and SEM studies confirm the formation of an adsorbed protective film on the carbon steel surface. Based on all these results, a plausible mechanism of corrosion inhibition is proposed.