Corrosion inhibition effect of non-toxic α-amino acid compound on high carbon steel in low molar concentration of hydrochloric acid

Electrochemical studies of the corrosion inhibition effect of biodegradable 2-amino-4-methylpentanoic acid (LCN) on high carbon steel in 1 M HCl acid was evaluated with potentiodynamic polarization technique, weight loss analysis and optical microscopy. Results show the compound to be highly effective with optimal inhibition efficiencies of 87.46% and 85.88% from the electrochemical test with dominant cathodic inhibition behaviour between 0% and 1.88% inhibitor concentration and anodic inhibition behaviour at 2.81% and 5.63% inhibitor concentration due to changes in the effect of lateral repulsion between inhibitor molecules. Thermodynamic calculations showed chemisorption molecular interaction and adsorption onto HCS surface according to Langmuir, Freundlich and Frumkin isotherm models with correlation coefficients of 0.9991, 0.8727 and 0.9782. Statistical analysis showed inhibitor concentration is only relevant variable responsible for inhibition efficiency. Calculated results from predicted corrosion rate values varied at an average value of 53% from experimental results. Optical microscopy images of LCN inhibited and uninhibited HCS samples significantly contrast each.