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Optimizing corrosion resistance: how pH shapes the inhibition mechanism of ZnAl-NO3 - LDH on mild steel

  • Mohamad Nor Amirul Azhar Kamis ORCID logo , Hamizah Mohd Zaki ORCID logo EMAIL logo , Zainiharyati Mohd Zain , Mohammad Noor Jalil and Mohamad Eimaduddin Khairul Azly
Published/Copyright: March 13, 2025
Pure and Applied Chemistry
From the journal Pure and Applied Chemistry Volume 97 Issue 4

Abstract

Mild steel is extensively used in various industrial applications but is susceptible to corrosion in aggressive environments. This study investigates the efficacy of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) as corrosion inhibitors for mild steel, specifically focusing on zinc-aluminium LDH intercalated with nitrate synthesized at different pH values (pH 7, pH 8, and pH 10). The variation in pH significantly influences the composition and subsequent inhibition behavior of the LDH. Characterization of the synthesized LDHs was performed using Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Additionally, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and CHNS elemental analysis were utilized to assess surface morphology and inhibitor loading. Results demonstrated that the ZnAl LDH synthesized at pH 8 exhibited a well-defined structure and the highest inhibitor loading. Corrosion inhibition studies were conducted on mild steel immersed in a neutral 3.5 wt% NaCl solution, utilizing Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy and Potentiodynamic Polarization. Notably, 0.1 g/L of the pH 8 ZnAl LDH achieved an impressive inhibition efficiency of 95.18 %, as indicated by the potentiodynamic polarization results. The LDH demonstrated both anodic and cathodic inhibition effects, with the corrosion inhibition mechanism attributed to the controlled release of nitrate ions, which form a passive layer on the steel surface, and the entrapment of chlorides within the LDH structure, thereby reducing the concentration of harmful chlorides in the environment.

Keywords: corrosion inhibition; electrochemistry; inhibitors; layered compounds; mild steel
Corresponding author: Hamizah Mohd Zaki, Faculty of Applied Science, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia; and Multifunctional Nanoporous Material Research (MULNA), Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia, e-mail:

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledged Universiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia that provided the facilities for the project.

  1. Research ethics: Not applicable.

  2. Informed consent: Informed consent was obtained from all individuals included in this study, or their legal guardians or wards.

  3. Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission. MNAAK conducted the experiments and electrochemical analyses, analyzed the data including drafting figures and tables, contributed to the interpretation of results, and led the writing of the manuscript. HMZ supervised the project, coordinated the literature review and assisted in writing the introduction and discussion sections. ZMZ designed the graphical abstract, provided critical feedback on the electrochemical section to ensure the accuracy of data. MNJ commented on the electrochemical study to provide thorough discussion about the data presented. MEKA conducted the experiments and characterization of materials.

  4. Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.

  5. Conflict of interest: The authors state no conflict of interest.

  6. Research funding: None declared.

  7. Data availability: Not applicable.

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Published Online: 2025-03-13
Published in Print: 2025-04-28

© 2025 IUPAC & De Gruyter

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https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2024-0296
Keywords for this article
corrosion inhibition; electrochemistry; inhibitors; layered compounds; mild steel

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. In this issue
  3. Review
  4. Blockchain technology: driving change in the scientific research workflow
  5. Research Articles
  6. Sequential sorption of crystal violet and emulsified oil onto poly(lauryl methacrylate-acrylamide) hybrid hydrogel
  7. Catalytic synthesis of DHHB over home-made catalysts and its kinetic calculations
  8. Synthesis and characterization of tricyclodecyl-containing methacrylate polymer for optoelectronics applications
  9. Spontaneous dehydration side reactions of core amino acids in GC-MS sample preparation: the role of drying conditions
  10. Optimizing corrosion resistance: how pH shapes the inhibition mechanism of ZnAl-NO3 - LDH on mild steel
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