A Systematic Assessment of Organic Compounds for Aluminum Corrosion Protection in Aggressive Environments

Aluminum is widely used across various industries due to its lightweight, strength and corrosion resistance; however, it remains vulnerable to corrosion when exposed to aggressive environments such as acidic, alkaline and chloride-containing media. Organic corrosion inhibitors have emerged as an environmentally friendly and effective solution for mitigating aluminum corrosion. This review systematically assesses recent advances in the use of synthetic organic compounds as corrosion inhibitors for aluminum. Key classes of inhibitors, including Schiff bases, heterocyclic compounds, amines, polymers and ionic liquids, are examined with respect to their inhibition mechanisms, adsorption behaviors and performance trends in diverse corrosive media. The influence of molecular structure, functional groups and environmental parameters on inhibition efficiency is analyzed based on experimental and theoretical studies. Strengths and limitations in current research methodologies are discussed, highlighting challenges such as inconsistent testing protocols and limited long-term evaluations. Emerging trends including computational inhibitor design and hybrid organic-inorganic systems are explored. Finally, gaps in knowledge and future research directions are proposed to guide the development of sustainable, efficient and practical organic inhibitors for aluminum corrosion protection in industrial applications.