“Green approach for corrosion inhibition for Fe-metal in acidic medium using Banaba leaves (<i>Lagerstroemia speciosa)</i> extract and ZnO nanoparticles”

Using green corrosion inhibitors derived from Banaba leaf extracts to prevent metals in acidic media is the aim of this study. Currently, there is a greater interest in adopting green alternatives due to environmental concerns and human health risks related with synthetic inhibitors. Corrosion is a persistent issue that is hard to fully resolve. Every industry experience corrosion, which is mostly related to steel corrosion and can affect drinking water, sewage systems, and oil pipelines. Annually, the economy as a whole loses billions of rupees due to metallic corrosion. The inhibitory property of Banaba leaf extract on corrosion of iron metal immersed in acidic medium for 24 hours was investigated. Solutions containing different concentrations (0%,30%,60%,90%) v/v of Banaba leaf extract and HCl as well as HCl and synthesized ZnO nanoparticles are used. Weight loss method is used to determine corrosion rate and inhibition efficiency. For Banaba leaf extract the corrosion rate is decreased and inhibitor efficiency increased and the same has been observed with the Banaba leaf extract synthesized ZnO Nanoparticles. For 30% plant extract the efficiency was good compared to 30% Nanoparticles solution and for 60% Nanoparticles solution corrosion efficiency was good compared to leaf extract solution. AFM and SEM analysis are used to characterize the metal sample, FTIR and UV analysis are done for leaf extract and the solution after immersion of metal at 30% Extract and 60 % Nanoparticle solution. Banaba leaf extract may be considered as an appropriate environmentally friendly and cost-effective resource for corrosion protection with potential use in preservation of metals.