The inhibition activity of lemongrass extract (LGE) for mild steel acid corrosion: Electrochemical, surface and theoretical investigations

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to minimize corrosion-related pollution in the environment. From the lemongrass extract (LGE), the authors selected one of the best green inhibitors. Design/methodology/approach The corrosion and inhibition of mild steel in traditional acidification solutions were estimated by electrochemical measurements. The corrosion appearance was observed with scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy micrographs and attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy spectrum. The correlation was formed between the gained inhibition efficiency (IE)% from electrochemical measurements and certain quantum chemical parameters. Findings The results displayed that the IE was up to 90% when the LGE concentration was 300 ppm. The results confirmed that the theoretical experiments are very similar to the experimental observations. Originality/value For the first time, LGE was used as a cheap and safe corrosion inhibitor for mild steel corrosion in the acidification process. The mechanism of mild steel corrosion and anti-corrosion in acid solution has been suggested.