Evaluation of Punica granatum Extract as an Environmentally Safe Corrosion Inhibitor for Carbon Steel in a Solution of 1 M Sulfuric Acid

In order to create an eco-friendly corrosion inhibitor Punica granatum extract (PG) was employed as the primary component for use in H₂SO₄ pickling procedures. The inhibition behaviour of C-steel in H₂SO₄ has been studied using weight-loss tests, polarization curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The outcomes demonstrate the extract's effective inhibition in 1 M H₂SO₄. Both an increase in concentration and temperature boosted the effectiveness of the inhibition. With the greater concentration of PG (300 ppm) and the higher applied temperature (45°C), the inhibition effectiveness reached 91.7%. Nevertheless, the inhibitory efficacy increased synergistically with the addition of potassium iodide, increasing from 81.5% to 95.0% at 25°C using the weight-loss technique. Adsorption on the C-steel caused the inhibitory effect, and this adsorption mechanism was compatible with the Temkin isotherm. According to the free energy of adsorption (ΔG⁰_ads = 39.5 kJ/mol.), the PG extract adheres chemically to the surface of the C-steel. The efficient inhibitor Punica granatum (PG) extract may prevent corrosion of C-steel in H₂SO₄ solution. The extracts from Punica granatum (PG) are a commonly used green inhibitor that may be used to pickle metals.