Corrosion Inhibition and Adsorption of Anthocleista Djalonesis Leaf Extract on the Acid Corrosion of Mild Steel

Aqueous extracts of the leaves of Anthocleista djalonesis (AD) have been investigated as non toxic corrosion inhibitors for mild steel in acidic environments (1 M HCl and 0.5 M H2SO4, respectively). Corrosion rates were evaluated at 30 °C using the weight loss, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarization techniques. AD extract was found to inhibit mild steel corrosion in both acidic media via adsorption of the extract organic matter on the metal/solution interface. Polarization data indicate that the extract functioned via a mixed inhibition mechanism, affecting both the cathodic and anodic partial reactions of the corrosion process. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed to illustrate the adsorption process of some specific components of the extract.