Inhibition of acid corrosion of mild steel by Anacyclus pyrethrum L. extracts

Inhibition of the corrosion of mild steel in sulfuric acid by extracts of Anacyclus pyrethrum L. (leaves and stems, AP-LS; flowers AP-F; roots, AP-R) has been studied by use of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization. Anacyclus pyrethrum L. inhibited the corrosion of mild steel in 0.5 M H2SO4 solution. Polarization curves show that the different parts of plants act as anodic type inhibitors. Changes in impedance data (charge transfer resistance, R-t, and double layer capacitance, C-dl) were indicative of adsorption of the extracts on the metal surface, leading to the formation of protective films. The extent of surface coverage by the inhibitors was determined by measurement of ac impedance; it was found that adsorption of these inhibitors on the mild steel surface obeys the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Activation energies in the presence and absence of AP-LS and AP-F were obtained by measuring the temperature dependence of the corrosion current.