- Chukwudubem Chimauzo Emekwisia1*, Akinoola Oluwatimilehin Oketoobo2, Muhd-Nur Suleiman3, Semiu Omotola Akegbayale4, Daniel Babayemi Kanjuni5, Newman Enahoro Eguabor6
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1Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, 420007, Anambra State, Nigeria. 2Department of Civil Engineering, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-ife, 220005, Osun State, Nigeria. 3Department of Civil Engineering, Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, Cyberjaya, 63000, Selangor, Malaysia. 4Department of Civil Engineering, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-ife, 220005, Osun State, Nigeria. 5Department of Data Science, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, 60616, Illinois, USA. 6Department of mechanical Engineering, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, 310006, Edo State, Nigeria.
Corrosion of mild steel in acidic environments poses
significant challenges in various industries, leading to material failure and
economic losses. This research therefore investigates the potential of Gmelina
leaf extract as a sustainable and eco-friendly corrosion inhibitor for mild
steel in hydrochloric acid (HCl) solutions. The aim of this research is to
assess the inhibitor’s effectiveness in reducing the corrosion rate of mild
steel at different HCl concentrations. Results showed that without the
inhibitor, the corrosion rate increased with HCl concentration, ranging from
0.754 mm/yr at 0.47 mol/dm³ to 4.667 mm/yr at 2.39 mol/dm³. However, in the
presence of the Gmelina leaf inhibitor, the corrosion rate was significantly
reduced, with values ranging from 0.090 mm/yr at 0.47 mol/dm³ to 0.918 mm/yr at
2.39 mol/dm³, achieving inhibition efficiencies between 80% and 88%. This
research provides new insights into the high effectiveness of Gmelina leaf
extract in forming a protective barrier on the steel surface, reducing
corrosion even in highly acidic environments. The study highlights this leaf
extract as a green, cost-effective alternative to synthetic inhibitors, with
wide applications in industries requiring corrosion protection in harsh acidic
conditions.
Keywords: Corrosion, Mild Steel, Gmelinas, Hydrochloric Acid.
