Insight into the time-dependent corrosion protection of mild steel by green ionic liquids: a combined electrochemical, surface, and computational study

This study reports the development of two green ionic liquids (ILs), namely, choline tyrosinate and choline prolinate, abbreviated as ChoTyr and ChoPro, respectively, as eco-friendly corrosion inhibitors for mild steel (MS) in acidic media. The obtained ILs were characterized by ¹H-NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy. The anti-corrosive performance of the synthesized ILs was investigated by the weight loss and electrochemical methods (PDP, EIS) in 5% HCl solution at different immersion times of 24, 48, and 72 h at 313 K. The results indicated inhibition efficiencies of 96.9% for ChoTyr, 92.9% for ChoPro in static conditions, 95.5% for ChoTyr, and 91.5% for ChoPro in dynamic conditions after 72 h immersion. The inhibition performance increases as immersion time increases due to the enhanced adsorption of ILs molecules onto the steel surface, forming a protective film. SEM analyses exhibited a smooth surface without corrosion when ILs were present, while untreated steel showed extensive degradation. FT-IR and UV-vis spectroscopic analyses confirmed ILs adsorption. At the same time, theoretical calculations employed using density functional theory corroborated the experimental observations, suggesting stronger adsorption and a higher inhibitory potential of ChoTyr <i>versus</i> ChoPro. These findings proved ChoTyr and ChoPro ILs to be sustainable corrosion inhibitors, providing valuable implications for industry applications in acid pickling and cleaning areas.