Polymeric Ionic Liquids Based on Benzimidazole Derivatives as Corrosion Inhibitors for X-65 Carbon Steel Deterioration in Acidic Aqueous Medium: Hydrogen Evolution and Adsorption Studies

Ionic liquids have significantly enhanced ecofriendly benefits compared to the traditional inhibitors. In the present work, new four polymeric ionic liquids based on benzoimidazole derivatives were synthesized through the reaction of 2-styryl-1H-benzo[d]imidazole with alkyl halide to form PIL1. Then, Cl(- )anions were exchanged with different anions through the neutralization reaction to form other investigated polymers. Their structures were chemically elucidated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, H-1 NMR, and C-13 NMR. Their influence on carbon steel (CS) as corrosion inhibitors has been checked with dielectric spectroscopy in addition to potentiodynamic polarization curves. It was found that the percentage of inhibition efficiency increases as inhibitor's concentrations increase, suggesting a decrease in the rate of CS corrosion. Additionally, the hydrogen evolution rate controlled by the four polymers was monitored. Addition of the prepared polymers lessened the rate of generation of hydrogen as the inhibitor's concentrations augmented. Scanning electric electron microscopy in addition to energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction has proved the morphology of the CS surface as well as the formed protective film.