Sustainable corrosion prevention of mild steel in acidic media with Rumex Nepalensis herb extract

Abstract

Mild steel provides strength to various building and industrial materials but it is badly affected by corrosion. In the present study, we investigate the efficacy of Rumex nepalensis, a plant-based green corrosion inhibitor to minimize mild steel corrosion in a 1 M H₂SO₄ solution. Weight loss, surface coverage, inhibition efficiency, and corrosion rate measurements were evaluated for various inhibitor concentrations and time intervals. Rumex nepalensis was found to be 98.35% efficient in preventing mild steel from acid corrosion by forming a barrier that reduces the interaction between mild steel and the acidic environment, it was further validated by UV-Vis and contact angle investigations. The scanning electron microscopy images demonstrated the inhibitor's protective effect, showing a smoother surface. These investigations show that the Rumex nepalensis inhibitor significantly improves mild steel's corrosion resistance, offering immediate and long-term protection in acidic environments, even at deficient concentrations. It shows promise as an effective natural inhibitor and merits further consideration for future applications.