Synergistic corrosion inhibition of environment-friendly inhibitors on the corrosion of carbon steel in soft water

The synergistic effect of the combination of polyaspartic acid (PASP), polyepoxysuccinic acid (PESA), polyamino polyether methylenephosphonate (PAPEMP), sodium gluconate (Glu) and Zn2+ on carbon steel corrosion was investigated using weight loss and electrochemical measurements. The combination of PASP, PESA, PAPEMP, Glu and Zn2+ is an environment-friendly inhibitor and exhibited mixed-type inhibition behaviour. The composite efficiently inhibited corrosion on carbon steel at relatively low dosages in severely corrosive soft water media. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) spectra further confirmed the formation of a protective film composed of the adsorbed inhibitor molecules on the carbon steel surface against corrosion attack.