Experimental and theoretical study of some N-pyridinium salt derivatives as corrosion inhibitors for mild-steel in acidic media

N-pyridinium salt derivatives (1–5) were prepared and investigated as corrosion inhibitors for mild steel in 1 M H₂SO₄ solution at 30°C for 24 h. The corrosion inhibiting action was studied using weight loss measurements. The results demonstrated that the corrosion rate decreases, inhibition efficiencies increase, and surface coverage degree increases with increasing inhibitor concentration. Inhibition efficiencies for prepared N-pyridinium salt derivatives have highest inhibiting efficiency for even low concentration. The values of ΔG_ads^° showed physisorption effect for all prepared compounds. Molecular modeling systems were achieved for suggested inhibitors 1–5. Theoretical calculations could be used as a useful tool to obtain information for explaining the mechanism and nature of interaction between the metal surface and the organic molecule as a corrosion inhibitor.