Green approach to corrosion inhibition of mild steel in hydrochloric acid medium using extract of spirogyra algae

In the present investigation, a fresh water green algae spirogyra is used as an inexpensive and efficient mild steel corrosion inhibitor. The study is carried out in 0.5?M HCl solution using weight loss measurements, scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transforms infrared (FT-IR) techniques. The maximum inhibition efficiency was found to be 93.03% at 2?g?L^?1. The adsorption of extract of spirogyra on mild steel surface obeys the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Corrosion inhibition mechanisms were inferred from the temperature dependence of the inhibition efficiency as well as from calculation of thermodynamic and kinetic parameters which direct the process. FT-IR analysis of green algae spirogyra revealed the presence of hydroxyl, amino, and carbonyl groups, which are responsible for the adsorption on the mild steel surface. SEM analysis supported the inhibitive action of the spirogyra extract against the mild steel corrosion in acid solution.