Synergistic corrosion inhibition effect of 1-ethyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium tetrafluoroborate and iodide ions for low carbon steel in HCl solution

Investigation into the corrosion inhibition of low carbon steel in 0.1-M HCl solution by 1-ethyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium (EMTFB) and the effect of KI addition on the inhibition efficiency was carried out using potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and surface analysis (scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX)) techniques. Results show that EMTFB suppresses low carbon steel dissolution in the corrosive environment. Inhibition efficiency increased with the increase in EMTFB concentration. Addition of iodide ions to EMTFB raises inhibition efficiency from 75 to 98%. PDP results indicate that EMTFB affects majorly anodic reactions while EMTFB + KI act as cathodic-type inhibitor. The adsorption of EMTFB onto low carbon steel surface is by physical adsorption mechanism and follows Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. SEM and EDAX results confirm the adsorption of EMTFB alone and in combination with KI onto the steel surface.