Experimental and computational study of corrosion protection of carbon steel by Lavandula angustifolia extract–Zn(II) hybrid system in saline solution

increased from 862 to 5956 Ω cm². This indicated the formation of a highly protective interfacial layer. FTIR and UV-vis spectroscopy confirmed the interaction between LA's functional groups and Zn²⁺ ions. CA measurements (19.7° for the blank and 40.12° for the optimal sample) and SEM/EDS analyses further validated the formation of protective surface layers. Additionally, MC, MD, and QM simulations revealed the strong binding affinity and stability of the LA-Zn²⁺ complexes, offering insights into their protective behavior. This study presents LA-Zn²⁺ complexes as eco-friendly, efficient alternatives to traditional corrosion inhibitors.