Electrochemical investigation of a schiff base synthesized by cinnamaldehyde as corrosion inhibitor on mild steel in acidic medium

The inhibiting effect of (NE)-4-phenoxy-N-(3-phenylallylidene) aniline (PAC) on the corrosion of mild steel in 1.0 M HCl has been studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and Tafel polarization measurements. The corrosion rate was also calculated theoretically in terms of mm per year and mil per year, using current density values of mild steel in 1.0 M HCl medium. It was found that PAC has a remarkable inhibition efficiency on the corrosion of mild steel especially at high temperatures. The values of E _a obtained in presence of a Schiff base were found to be lower than those obtained in the inhibitor-free solution. The increase of inhibition efficiency percent with temperature increase was associated with the transformation of physical adsorption into chemical adsorption. The thermodynamic functions of adsorption processes have been evaluated and discussed at each temperature. Scanning electron microscope observations of the electrode surface confirmed the existence of a protective adsorbed film of the inhibitor on the electrode surface.