Purpose – The aim of this research was to investigate the use of aqueous extracts of nettle plant (NE) as a green corrosion inhibitor of mild steel in hydrochloric acid solution. Design/methodology/approach – The inhibition efficiency was investigated by weight loss measurements, potentiodynamic polarizations, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, SEM observations and EDX analysis. Findings – The inhibition efficiency increased with an increase in concentration of NE up to a critical concentration of 1.5×10−3 g · cm−3 where the highest inhibition efficiency of 97 percent was obtained. The adsorption of the inhibitor was spontaneous (reflected by the negative value of ΔGads0), supported the mechanism of physical adsorption and obeyed to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The inhibition action of the extracts was independent on the storage time; it could be conserved without any specific conditions of time and temperature. Research limitations/implications – The anticorrosion effect can be better understood when the active compound in the extracts is identified and what is the inhibition efficiency of one component in the presence of another in the mixture (synergetic or antagonist effects). Practical implications – Nettle is a healthy plant, without particular toxicity that can find possible applications as environmentally friendly inhibitor of mild steel used as materials in food industry. Originality/value – Aqueous nettle extracts were studied for the first time as corrosion inhibitor and its anticorrosion effect was proven by standard methods.

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