Corrosion inhibition of mild steel by benzimidazole-based organic compounds in a 1M HCl environment: a review

Corrosion of metals, particularly mild steel, presents a persistent challenge across various industrial sectors, leading to substantial economic losses and safety concerns. This review focuses on the protection of mild steel in acidic environments. Organic inhibitors, especially nitrogen-containing heterocycles, have shown remarkable efficiency among various protective strategies. Benzimidazole and its derivatives have emerged as promising corrosion inhibitors due to their strong adsorption capacity, chemical stability, low toxicity, and ability to form protective layers on steel surfaces. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of corrosion mechanisms in both acidic and basic media, the synthesis and properties of benzimidazole compounds, and their comparative performance with other organic inhibitors such as pyridine, imidazo-pyridines, and pyrazoles. Factors influencing inhibition efficiency, such as temperature, concentration, and exposure time, and the adsorption mechanisms involved, are analyzed. Additionally, recent trends in scientific production (2020–2023) are discussed, as well as current challenges and future research directions. Benzimidazole-based inhibitors represent a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution for mitigating corrosion, contributing to enhanced material longevity and industrial safety.