Novel cationic gemini surfactants as corrosion inhibitors for carbon steel pipelines

In the present investigation novel cationic gemini surfactants namely: bis(p-(N,N,N-octyldimethylammonium bromide)benzylidene)benzene-1,4-diamine (I), bis(p-(N,N,N-decyldimethylammonium bromide)benzylidene)benzene-1,4-diamine (II), and bis(p-(N,N,N-dodecyldimethylammonium bromide)benzylidene)benzene-1,4-diamine (III) were synthesized, characterized, and tested as corrosion inhibitors for carbon steel in 1 M HCl solution. The corrosion inhibition efficiency was measured by using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), potentiodynamic polarization, and weight loss methods. The obtained results showed that, the synthesized inhibitors are excellent inhibitors for carbon steel in 1 M HCl solution. The inhibition efficiency decreased in the temperature range 30-40 degrees C and then increased in the temperature range 40-60 degrees C. The prepared inhibitors act as mixed inhibitors. Thermodynamic and activation parameters were discussed. Adsorption of the synthesized inhibitors was found to follow the Langmuir's adsorption isotherm. Mixed physical and chemical adsorption mechanism is proposed. The morphology of carbon steel samples was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.