Effects of Vitamins as Green Inhibitors on the Surface of Steel Bars in Chloride-Polluted Simulated Concrete Pore Solution: Experimental, Characteristic Analysis, and Theoretical Calculation

This study evaluates the effects of vitamins B1 (VB1), B6 (VB6), B3 (VB3), and C (VC) as green corrosion inhibitors for steel bars in a chloride-polluted simulated concrete pore (SCP) solution. Electrochemical tests demonstrated that VB6 achieves the highest corrosion inhibition efficiency (IE%) of 92.86%, and the IE% of VB1 and VC are 91.96 and 91.51%, respectively, while VB3 shows the least effectiveness of 83.49% at their respective optimum concentrations. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that vitamin treatment significantly improves the surface morphology, enhancing smoothness. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed the presence of protective molecular layers and precipitated calcium (Ca) on the steel surface, indicating effective adsorption. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that vitamin interacts with iron (Fe) through chemisorption and physisorption, contributing to the formation of protective FeOOH compounds. Moreover, it also suggests that the main component of precipitated Ca is protective calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). Density functional theory calculations showed that vitamins adhere to the surface of γ-FeOOH through hydrogen bonds. These findings underscore the potential of vitamins as effective green inhibitors in corrosion prevention applications.