Hydroxyethylcellulose used as an eco-friendly inhibitor for 1018 c-steel corrosion in 3.5% NaCl solution.

The inhibition effect of hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) on 1018 c-steel corrosion in 3.5% NaCl solution was investigated by using potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical frequency modulation (EFM) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. The potentiodynamic polarization studies suggested that HEC acts as a mixed-type inhibitor. Data obtained from EIS were analyzed to model the corrosion inhibition process through equivalent circuit. Results obtained from EFM technique were shown to be in agreement with potentiodynamic and EIS techniques. The adsorption behavior of HEC on steel surface follows the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Thermodynamic parameter (ΔG°(ads)) and activation parameters (Ea(*), ΔH(*) and ΔS(*)) were calculated to investigate mechanism of inhibition. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis system were performed to characterize the film formed on the metal surface. DMol(3) quantum chemical calculations were performed to support the adsorption mechanism with the structure of HEC molecule.