Novel synthesized Schiff Base-based cationic gemini surfactants: Electrochemical investigation, theoretical modeling and applicability as biodegradable inhibitors for mild steel against acidic corrosion

Three novel Schiff base compounds were synthesized and characterized using spectroscopic methods (FT-IR, H-1 NMR and (CNMR)-C-13). Their critical micelle concentrations were determined by conductimetric and surface tension measurements. The inhibition potentials of the prepared surfactants on mild steel corrosion in H2SO4 have been investigated using electrochemical and scanning electron microscopy techniques. The results showed that all surfactants are good inhibitors for mild steel corrosion with the percentage inhibition efficiency of up to 99.21% at 1.0 mM. The data showed that the studied surfactants are mixed-type inhibitors. Adsorption of the inhibitors obeyed the Langmuir isotherm. The results obtained from theoretical calculations support our experimental studies. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.