Fatty acid molecules
9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid (C18:3), 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (C18:2),
and hexadecanoic acid (C16:0) possessing active functional groups
with the capability of fast electron transfer have been established
for effective corrosion inhibition of mild steel. In this regard,
a microalga Scenedesmus sp. is isolated and its fatty
acids have been studied to corroborate the adsorption behavior, attributing
the anticorrosion efficacy on mild steel in 1 M HCl solution by forming
metal–inhibitor framework. Electrochemical analysis has been
used to ascertain the surpassing corrosion inhibition efficiency at
an optimal concentration of 36 ppm with maximum 95.1% inhibitive performance.
The results of metallography with or without the inhibitor molecules
have indicated significant changes in surface morphology of mild steel
specimen for gradual enhancement in immersion time (72 h). Hydrogen
evolution reaction has been emphasized to observe the tendency of
significant decrease in the bubble formation in the presence of inhibitor
compared to 1 M HCl solution only. Surface morphometric studies (scanning
electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy) have also revealed
the excellent adsorption capacity of Scenedesmus fatty
acids on metal surface. Quantum chemical calculations, performed by
density functional theory, determined significant adsorption effectiveness,
based on the donor–acceptor capability between metallic surface
and inhibitor molecules.