Hector bases – a new class of heterocyclic corrosion inhibitors for mild steel in acid solutions

Three heterocyclic compounds namely 3-anilino-5-imino-4-phenyl-1, 2,4-thiadiazoline (AIPT), 3-anilino-5-imino-4-tolyl-1, 2,4-thiadiazoline (AITT), and 3-anilino-5-imino-4-chlorophenyl-1, 2,4-thiadiazoline (AICT) were synthesized and their influence on the inhibition of corrosion of mild steel in 1 M HCl and 0.5 M H₂SO₄ was investigated by weight loss and potentiodynamic polarization techniques. The values of activation energy and free energy of adsorption of these compounds were also calculated. Potentiodynamic polarization studies were carried out at room temperature, and showed that all the compounds were mixed type inhibitors causing blocking of active sites on the metal. The inhibition efficiency of the compounds was found to vary with concentration, temperature and immersion time. Good inhibition efficiency was evidenced in both acid solutions. The adsorption of the compounds on mild steel for both acids was found to obey the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was also used to investigate the mechanism of corrosion inhibition.