Exploring  Strobilanthes crispus  as a Sustainable Corrosion Inhibitor for Aluminium: Electrochemical Insight Across pH Variations

Yasin Albarqouni; Wan Salwanis Binti Wan Md Zain; Augustine Agi; Arman Bin Abdullah

doi:10.22146/ijc.105858

Exploring Strobilanthes crispus as a Sustainable Corrosion Inhibitor for Aluminium: Electrochemical Insight Across pH Variations

https://doi.org/10.22146/ijc.105858

Yasin Albarqouni⁽¹⁾, Wan Salwanis Binti Wan Md Zain⁽²⁾, Augustine Agi⁽³⁾, Arman Bin Abdullah^(4*)

(1) Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, Lebuhraya Persiaran Tun Khalil Yaakob, 26300 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia; Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Al-Azhar University-Gaza (AUG), Gaza City, Gaza Strip 00970, State of Palestine
(2) Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, Lebuhraya Persiaran Tun Khalil Yaakob, 26300 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
(3) Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology, College of Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, 26300, Gambang, Pahang, Malaysia
(4) Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology, College of Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, 26300, Gambang, Pahang, Malaysia
(*) Corresponding Author

Abstract

Strobilanthes crispus leaf extract was investigated as a green corrosion inhibitor for aluminium in varying pH media (HCl pH 2, NaCl pH 7, NaOH pH 10). FTIR confirmed C–O and C=O functional groups are critical for inhibition. Weight loss measurements after 20 d in NaOH showed corrosion rates of 0.00061 mm/y at 0.2 mg/L inhibitor and 0.00038 mm/y at 0.8 mg/L, with efficiencies of 46.8 and 67.05%, respectively. Inhibition was weaker in NaCl (0.0003–0.0024 mm/y) and HCl (0.0037–0.0005 mm/y). Tafel polarization revealed a reduced corrosion rate in NaOH (0.00022 mm/y vs. 0.019 mm/y uninhibited) and a positive E_corr shift. EIS demonstrated peak efficiency (75.5% at 0.8 mg/L in NaOH), supported by high charge transfer resistance R_ct with about 6.80 × 10⁴ Ω and oxide film resistance R_of with about 1.19 × 10⁶ Ω. SEM confirmed smoother surfaces in inhibited NaOH versus pitting in blanks. The extract’s efficacy in alkaline conditions rivals that of plant-derived inhibitors, though neutral/acidic performance was limited. These findings position S. crispus as a sustainable inhibitor for alkaline environments.

Keywords

Strobilanthes crispus extract; corrosion inhibition; green inhibitor

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.22146/ijc.105858