Medicago sativa as a green corrosion inhibitor for 1018 carbon steel in 0.5 M H2SO4 solution

A study on the use of the methanol extract of Medicago sativa as a green corrosion inhibitor for 1018 carbon steel in 0.5?M of sulfuric acid has been carried out by using potentiodynamic polarization curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and gravimetric tests. Testing temperatures were 25°C, 40°C and 60°C. Results showed that M. sativa is a good corrosion inhibitor, with its efficiency increasing with its concentration and with time, but decreasing with the temperature. M. sativa forms a passive film on top of the steel with a passive current density and pitting potential values lower than that for uninhibited solution, and remained on the steel for 8–12?h. This film formed by iron ions and heteroatoms present in OH^? and amine groups from the extract are adsorbed on the steel and form a protective film on to the steel.