Challenging Corrosion: The Innovative, Green and Effective β- CD/ME Supramolecular Complex

Abstract

Background Corrosion poses major challenges in various industrial sectors such as oil and gas, chemicals, and infrastructure. Traditional corrosion inhibitors have limitations in terms of toxicity and environmental compatibility. Supramolecular complexes are promising as green corrosion inhibitors, as the interaction between host and guest molecules can be tailored for different application needs. Methods This study investigates a β-cyclodextrin (β-CD)/melamine (ME) supramolecular complex by the gravimetric, potentiodynamic (PDP) and electrochemical impedance (EIS) methods. Its synthesis is reported by Raman spectroscopy, ¹H NMR, and FT-IR methods. A range of characterization techniques are used to analyze the complex's structure. Gravimetric and electrochemical tests evaluate its corrosion inhibition performance on steel in acidic solution at varying concentrations and temperatures. Computational modeling provides atomic-scale insights by DFT, MC and MD simulations. Main findings The synthesis, characterisation, and corrosion prevention performance of a novel supramolecular complex, β-cyclodextrin/melamine (β-CD/ME), on St20 steel, in acidic conditions, were the subjects of an inventive investigation that was described in this publication. The complex's structural alterations, physical interactions, and structure were effectively disclosed, using Raman spectroscopy, ¹H NMR, and FT-IR. The β-CD/ME complex's ability to prevent corrosion in hostile solutions exceeded 92–94%, resulting in the formation of a thin protective film on the metal surface and acting as a mixed-type inhibitor. A novel mix of theoretical and experimental methods is used in this work to comprehend the underlying mechanisms, including the influence of structural factors on corrosion prevention effectiveness and the adsorption energies of the complex on the metal surface. These findings demonstrate that the β-CD/ME complex acts as a highly promising, cost-effective, eco-friendly, and efficient corrosion inhibitor with potential applications across diverse industrial settings.