The role of 4-amino-5-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol in the inhibition of nickel–aluminum bronze alloy corrosion: electrochemical and DFT studies

Inhibition of corrosion of nickel–aluminum bronze alloy (NAB) by use of 4-amino-5-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol (APTT) was investigated by monitoring weight loss and open-circuit potentials (OCP), and by use of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Quantum chemical data were calculated by use of the density functional theory (DFT) model. Results showed that APTT inhibits corrosion of NAB alloy fairly well. The efficiency of inhibition increases with increasing concentration of APTT, and adsorption of the inhibitor obeys the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. Negative values of adsorption free energy indicate chemical adsorption is spontaneous. The theoretical study showed that sulfur and nitrogen atoms (S, N7 and N8) were the reactive sites.