Eco-Friendly Corrosion Inhibitor Emerges in Plant Extracts

A recent study published in Environmental Research has identified a potential solution to environmental sustainability concerns in industrial corrosion inhibition. Researchers from the China Automotive Technology and Research Center Co. Ltd. have investigated the anti-corrosion properties of pulsatilla chinensis root extract (PCRE) on Q235 carbon steel in sulfuric acid solution. The results show that PCRE exhibits a high corrosion inhibition efficiency of 95.3% at 298 K, making it an effective and environmentally benign alternative to traditional organic corrosion inhibitors.

Key Takeaways:

• The study found that PCRE is abundant in saponin compounds, which facilitate the formation of a protective layer on Q235 carbon steel surface.
• PCRE achieved a corrosion inhibition efficiency of 95.3% at 298 K, making it an effective corrosion inhibitor.
• Surface characterization techniques confirmed that PCRE significantly mitigated corrosion on Q235 carbon steel.
• Quantum chemical calculations identified oxygen atoms in carboxyl/hydroxyl groups as crucial coordination sites for iron, which facilitates the formation of a protective layer.
• PCRE has been identified for the first time as an efficient and environmentally benign corrosion inhibitor.
• Its excellent water solubility enables direct application in industrial pickling systems.
• The study provides valuable insights into the molecular design of corrosion inhibitors based on the unique multi-oxygen conjugated structure of PCRE.

Statistics:

• 95.3% corrosion inhibition efficiency of PCRE at 298 K.
• 122645: the reference number for the study in Environmental Research.

Sources:

• Synergistic adsorption mechanism of pulsatilla chinensis root extract as an eco-friendly corrosion inhibitor for carbon steel in acidic solution. Environmental Research, 2025;285:122645. Environmental Research can be contacted at: Academic Press Inc Elsevier Science, 525 B St, Ste 1900, San Diego, CA 92101-4495, USA.
• China Automotive Technology and Research Center Co. Ltd. Ltd., Tianjin 300300, People's Republic of China.