Corrosion Inhibition of Mild Steel in HCl Solution by 2-acetylpyrazine: Weight Loss and DFT Studies on Immersion Time and Temperature Effects

This study systematically explores the corrosion inhibition potential of 2-acetylpyrazine for mild steel in a hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution, employing a comprehensive approach that integrates experimental weight loss measurements and Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. Investigating inhibitory performance across varying immersion times, inhibitor concentrations, and temperatures, our research aims to elucidate the corrosion inhibition mechanism. Numerical findings highlight a substantial inhibitory efficiency of 92.7 % at an inhibitor concentration of 0.5 mM, an immersion timeof 5 hours, and a temperature of 303 K. Remarkably, the efficiency increases to 98.1 % after extending the immersion time to 48 hours at 303 K with the same inhibitor concentration. Furthermore, we demonstrate the temperature's impact on inhibition efficiency, reaching 97.3 % at 333 K with an immersion time of 5 hours and an inhibitor concentration of 0.5 mM. The Langmuir model, applied to adsorption isotherms, provides valuable insights into the adsorption behavior of 2-acetylpyrazine on mild steel surfaces. Additionally, scanning electron microscope (SEM) results indicate the formation of a protective film on the steel surface in the presence of the studied inhibitors. This combined experimental and computational approach not only enhances our comprehension of the corrosion inhibition mechanism but also emphasizes the practical viability of 2-acetylpyrazine as an effective and temperature-sensitive inhibitor in HCl environments. These findings contribute significantly to advancing corrosion mitigation strategies with potential implications for industrial applications.