Potentiodynamic polarization test
The polarization curves for the steel samples exposed to the solutions, including Echium amoenum Fisch- 8Me (part of stem and leaf, wastes) extract, are illustrated in Fig. 2. This figure shows the corrosion behavior of St37 steel for 3.5 wt% NaCl medium and different concentrations of Echium amoenum Fisch- 8Me (part of stem and leaf, wastes) extract. The blue curve shows the corrosive medium without inhibitor, and other curves show the different concentrations of the extract in the corrosive medium.
According to the polarization curves in Fig. 2, the following data can be obtained. These data were collected by Power Suite software, which can be used to analyze polarization curves. Electrochemical parameters related to the polarization test (icorr, Ecorr, Tafel slopes (βa, βc), ө, and % IE) are shown in Table 1.
Table 1
Polarization data of St37 steel in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution and containing Echium amoenum Fisch- 8Me (part of stem and leaf, wastes) extract with different concentrations
concentration (ppm)
|
Ecorr(mV)
|
βc(mV/dec)
|
βa(mV/dec)
|
Icorr(µA)
|
icorr(µA/cm2)
|
ө
|
IE%
|
0
|
-519.53
|
1949.02
|
115.27
|
22.95
|
22.95
|
-
|
-
|
400
|
-466.94
|
117.86
|
67.69
|
4.58
|
4.58
|
0.800
|
80.0
|
600
|
-511.05
|
105.43
|
58.25
|
2.28
|
2.28
|
0.901
|
90.1
|
800
|
-470.27
|
41.42
|
31.37
|
1.79
|
1.79
|
0.922
|
92.2
|
Table 1 shows the polarization data of St37 steel in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution containing Echium amoenum Fisch- 8Me (part of stem and leaf, wastes) extract with different concentrations. The effect of changing the extract's concentration on the electrochemical parameters related to the polarization test can be well observed. In Table 1, the corrosion potential parameter of steel is Ecorr, and the corrosion current density parameter is icorr. The slopes of the cathode and anode lines are βc and βa, respectively. The level of surface Coverage and inhibition efficiency is shown with ө and IE%, calculated using Formula (1) [22, 43].
(1)
That icorr(free) and icorr(inh) are corrosion current density in the inhibitor's absence and the inhibitor's presence, respectively.
Table 1 shows the parameters of corrosion reactions, which are derived from the extrapolation of Tafel lines. The data presented in this table show that add the extract in this corrosive medium affected both cathodic and anodic reactions and reduced corrosion current, cause slowed down the corrosion rate of St37 steel in the corrosive medium of 3.5 wt% NaCl. This means that the extract inhibits corrosion by preventing cathodic and anodic reactions, and it is observed that the Tafel Slope is reduced in both anodic and cathodic reactions. This is probably due to the coating of inhibitor adsorbed molecules on the surface, and the reach of corrosive ions into the surface of the steel is reduced. According to Table 1, the inhibition effect of this extract increased with increasing concentration.
The inhibitory effect of Echium amoenum Fisch- 8Me (part of stem and leaf, wastes) extract increased with increasing the concentration of the extract in the solution and reduced the corrosion current density (icorr). Different concentrations of the extract should be tested to determine the optimal concentration for the inhibitor. The play in the role of Echium amoenum Fisch- 8Me (part of stem and leaf, wastes) extract as a corrosion inhibitor for St37 steel in the corrosive medium of 3.5 wt% NaCl is well seen. With increasing inhibitor concentration, inhibition efficiency increased. The maximum inhibitory efficiency is related to the concentration of 800 ppm, Echium amoenum Fisch- 8Me (part of stem and leaf, wastes) extract in the corrosive environment of 3.5 wt% NaCl equal to 92.2%.
The emission of electron density in inhibition molecules leads to the molecule's tendency to be adsorbed in both the anode and cathode regions. In this case, the electrochemical activities in both the anode and cathode regions are affected, and reactions are polarized. It can be claimed that the extract molecules adhere to the metal surface, thus blocking many of the active sites at that surface, leading to the increased amount of inhibition, as a result, prevents corrosion. Therefore, the tested extract can be considered as a mixed-type inhibitor [18, 31].
For a more detailed analysis, according to Table 1, The corrosion potential of steel in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution without inhibitor was -519/53 (mV). In the presence of inhibitor at the concentration of 400 ppm was equal to -466/94 (mV). So at potentials more positive than the corrosion potential in solution without inhibitor, we have a decrease in the flow's viscosity, in which case the inhibitor reduces the corrosion by adsorbing more on the anodic regions. However, the corrosion potential of steel in higher concentration containing inhibitor at 600 ppm was equal to -511.05 (mV). There is a slight difference between the corrosion potential of steel in this concentration and the state without inhibitors. So the corrosion potential of steel with The addition of the inhibitor is not significantly affected, indicating the mixed behavior of green inhibitor.
EIS (Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy)
Figure 3-a shows Nyquist curves, Fig. 3-b shows Bode curves, and Fig. 3-c shows Bode Phase curves for the corrosion of St37 steel in the corrosive medium of 3.5 wt% NaCl the presence of different concentrations of Echium amoenum Fisch- 8Me (part of stem and leaf, wastes) extract in the electrochemical impedance test. The blue curve shows the corrosive medium without inhibitor, and other curves show the different concentrations of the extract in the corrosive medium.
Impedance test equivalent circuit
A corrosion process can be simulated with an electrical circuit because it is the nature of both electron transmissions. Therefore, to investigate the corrosion behavior, the experimental data were matched using ZSimpWin software. When modeling some processes, it is necessary to use a CPE in the imaginary part (capacity). When a capacity behavior cannot be satisfactorily demonstrated with a capacitor, which sometimes occurs in corrosion processes, a CPE is used instead of a capacitor.
With the use of this software, an equivalent circuit related to St37 steel impedance test data was prepared in the corrosive medium of 3.5 wt% NaCl in the presence of different concentrations of Echium amoenum Fisch- 8Me (part of stem and leaf, wastes) extract. Fig. 4 shows the R (Q (R (QR)) circuit (the best equivalent circuit according to the experimental data). The electrochemical parameters obtained from the equivalent circuit of Fig. 4 are given in Table 2.
Table 2
Electrochemical spectroscopy results of St37 steel in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution containing Echium amoenum Fisch- 8Me (part of stem and leaf, wastes) extract with different concentrations
concentration ppm))
|
Rs (Ω.cm)2
|
Ydl (Ω .cm−2. sn)
|
ndl
|
Rct (Ω.cm)2
|
Yf (Ω .cm−2. sn)
|
nf
|
Rf (Ω.cm)2
|
IE%
|
0
|
7.711
|
1.419ρ10−3
|
0.8
|
8.615
|
6.502ρ10−3
|
0.8
|
437
|
-
|
400
|
9.145
|
1.012ρ10−3
|
0.6
|
59.44
|
1.168ρ10−4
|
0.9
|
1275
|
85.51
|
600
|
8.733
|
2.945ρ10−4
|
0.7
|
222
|
2.785ρ10−4
|
0.6
|
1938
|
96.12
|
800
|
5.415
|
1.432ρ10−4
|
0.8
|
1268
|
1.477ρ10−3
|
0.8
|
2781
|
99.32
|
To match the spectrum curve with the logic circuit model, Nonlinear regression is used. The number of adjustable parameters in this model is seven (Rs، Ydl، ndl، Rct، Yf، nf، Rf) Which is given in Table 2. The symbol R indicates the resistance. In this table, Rs is the solution resistance and, Rct is the charge transfer resistance, Rf is the surface film resistance. In Fig. 4, CPEdl and CPEf also show the capacity of the double layer constant phase element and the constant phase element capacity of the surface film formed on the surface, respectively. To show it, two parameters, Y(admittance) and n(surface non-uniformity coefficient) are used. To calculate the inhibition efficiency using impedance curve information, Formula (2) was used [22, 44].
(2)
That Rct0 and Rct show the charge transfer resistance in the inhibitor's absence and the inhibitor's presence, respectively. The electrochemical parameters obtained from the equivalent circuit of Fig. 4 are given in Table 2.
From the Nyquist curves (impedance response of St37 steel electrode) Fig. 3-a with and without Echium amoenum Fisch- 8Me (part of stem and leaf, wastes) extract in the corrosive environment of 3.5 wt% NaCl is determined that by adding Inhibitor to the solution, the diameter of the semicircles increases, which indicates an increase in the surface resistance to corrosion and a decrease in the corrosion rate due to the formation of a protective film on the surface of the steel electrode.
According to Fig. 3-b and Fig. 3-c, in Bode and Bode Phase curves in terms of frequency, a sample with a high value of Z (impedance) at low frequencies means a significant increase in corrosion resistance. On the vertical axis of the Bode curve, it can be seen that increasing the concentration of inhibition extract resulted in the rate of corrosion resistance has increased and had excellent resistance. The surface non-uniformity coefficient (n), as shown in Table 2 of the parameters extracted from the Z-sime software, is almost n=0.8, which indicates the specific behavior, and the choice of Q or CPE (constant phase element) in the equivalent circuit is correct. The reason for using constant phase elements in this circuit is to ensure that the circuit's capacitance matches the data obtained from the impedance test. The obtained impedance results can be analyzed based on the equivalent circuit of Fig. 4. The logic circuit corresponding to the impedance results of the inhibition Echium amoenum Fisch- 8Me (part of stem and leaf, wastes) extract shows the electrode with incomplete coating. According to Table 2, it can be seen that at the optimal concentration of 800 ppm, the values of Rct and Rf have increased. The capacitance values for the constant phase elements have been almost declining. A significant increase in charge transfer resistance indicates that more inhibition molecules are adsorbed to the steel surface, reducing the active sites present on the surface for the metal dissolution reaction. The maximum inhibition efficiency for the concentration of 800 ppm Echium amoenum Fisch- 8Me (part of stem and leaf, wastes) extract in the corrosive medium of 3.5 wt% NaCl is equal 99.32%. This finding is very consistent with the results of the polarization test. These results demonstrate the effective corrosion inhibition ability of Echium amoenum Fisch- 8Me (part of stem and leaf, wastes) extract in the corrosive environment of 3.5 wt% NaCl.
FT-IR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) test
Results from infrared spectroscopy for Echium amoenum Fisch- 8Me (part of stem and leaf, wastes) extract and surface film of St37 steel sample immersed for 24 hours in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution containing one gr/l of Echium amoenum Fisch- 8Me (part of stem and leaf, wastes) extract is given in Fig. 5.
Organic inhibitors are mostly of the mixed type. They are usually adsorbed on the metal surface due to the presence of polar groups such as CO, CS, CN, and CP in the molecules of these inhibitors, as well as the presence of free electrons in the S, O, N, and P atoms. They provide a protective coating on the metal surface.
In the study of FT-IR results, by observing the images and peaks taken from this experiment, the existence of these polar groups in the worked green inhibitor is confirmed. The FT-IR spectrum of dried Echium amoenum Fisch- 8Me (part of stem and leaf, wastes) extract is shown in Fig. 5-a. The broad peak in wavenumber 3409.96 cm−1 is related to the group's vibrations (O-H) and (N-H). The presence of peak 2942.30 cm−1 is related to group vibrations (C-H). The peak 1595.22 cm−1 is related to the asymmetric tensile vibrations of the group (C=C). The peak 1143.96 cm−1 is related to the groups' vibrations (C-O), (C-N), and (S=O). The peak 1014.71 cm−1 is related to the groups' vibrations (C-O) and (C-N). Peak 779.35 cm−1 is related to group vibrations (C-H), and peak 676.52 cm−1 is related to aromatic rings.
However, in the FT-IR spectrum, the formed film on the surface of St37 steel after one day of immersion in 3.5 wt% NaCl medium containing one g/l of Echium amoenum Fisch- 8Me (part of stem and leaf, wastes) extract is shown in Fig. 5-b. It is observed that the peak resulting from vibrations (O-H) and (N-H) has increased from 3409.96 to 3423.98 cm−1. The peak corresponding to group vibrations (C-H) has been transferred from 2942.30 to 2926.45 cm−1. The peak 2705.94 cm−1 is a new peak, which corresponds to the group's vibrations (C-H). The peak 2347.76 cm−1 is a new peak, which corresponds to the group's vibrations (C≡N). The peak from vibrations (C=C) has increased from 1595.22 to 1623.21 cm−1. The peak corresponding to asymmetric tensile vibrations of the group (C-O), (C-N), and (S=O) has been transferred from 1143.96 to 1135.77 cm−1. The peak (C-H) has increased from 779.35 to 907.19 cm−1. The peak of aromatic rings has increased from 676.52 to 705.94 cm−1 [42].
All these changes and the increase of vibrations, and new peaks indicate the formation of a complex by Echium amoenum Fisch- 8Me (part of stem and leaf, wastes) extract and iron ions on the surface of St37 steel in 3.5 wt% NaCl. It also indicates an increase in the grafts' strength and more absorption of Echium amoenum Fisch- 8Me (part of stem and leaf, wastes) extract on the surface. As a result, the Echium amoenum Fisch- 8Me (part of stem and leaf, wastes) extract contains S, O, and N atoms in its functional groups and aromatic rings, and according to the general properties of organic inhibitors, can form a protective coating on the surface of st37 steel. Therefore, it can be said that the combination of several parts of the plant itself, such as part of the stem and leaf (wastes), Echium amoenum Fisch- 8Me has a significant effect on increasing the inhibitory efficiency of the extract and the most beneficial and effective compounds in inhibition have been taken. So the extract acts as a green inhibitor and prevents corrosion of St37 steel by creating a protective layer [45].
SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy)
Scanning electron microscopy images with magnification of 200 (After 1.5 years from inhibitor fabrication) from the surface of st37 steel sample immersed in a corrosive medium of 3.5 wt% NaCl after 24 hours without inhibitor and in the presence of a concentration of 100 ppm from Echium amoenum Fisch- 8Me (part of stem and leaf, wastes) extract is shown in Figs 6-a and 6-b, respectively.
Scanning electron microscopy images of Figs 6-a and 6-b with magnification of 500 are shown in Figs 6-c and 6-d, respectively.
SEM images with magnifications of 200 and 500 in Fig. 6 shown after 24 hours of immersion in the corrosive medium of 3.5 wt% NaCl without the presence of inhibitor and with the inhibitor. This test is 1.5 years after the inhibitor were made. This test shows that inhibitor retain their inhibitory properties after a long time, and the effect of the inhibitor on the surface morphology can be well seen. A more uniform surface in the presence of inhibitors can be seen in SEM images. Inhibitor protect from the surface of the steel sample by creating a protective film.[46-48].