Influence of H+ and Cl− ions on inhibitive performance of poly(aniline) for iron corrosion in acid

The inhibition effect of poly(aniline) on pure iron corrosion in 1M HCl and with various H⁺ ions and Cl^? ions concentrations was investigated by the polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy methods. The results showed that poly(aniline) suppressed both cathodic and anodic processes of iron dissolution in 1M HCl by its adsorption on the iron surface according to Langmuir's adsorption isotherm. The inhibition efficiency of poly(aniline) was found to increase with the inhibitor concentrations. Further, it was observed that, there was no significant variation in corrosion potential (E_corr) values in the presence of inhibitors suggesting that, this polymer behaved as mixed type inhibitor. Similar studies for the inhibitor at 500 ppm in various concentrations of H⁺ and Cl^? ions, have shown that the inhibition efficiency decreases with decrease in concentrations of H⁺ ions and Cl^? ions in aqueous solution. It reveals that, the adsorption of inhibitor on iron surface is by more cationic form of inhibitor and higher efficiency at higher H⁺ and Cl^? ions is due to enhanced adsorption of cat ionic form of inhibitor molecules. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007