Investigation of Pyridinium Ionic Liquids in Corrosion Inhibition of Carbon Steel in Saline Environments

Abstract

This study investigates the anti-corrosion properties of two eco-friendly pyridinium ionic liquids; 4DMN and 4DMP, in a 3.5% NaCl solution. Utilizing weight loss tests, EIS, PDP, quantum chemical calculations, and molecular dynamics simulations, the study demonstrates concentration-dependent inhibition efficiencies of 94% and 92% for 4DMN and 4DMP, respectively. The compounds modulate both anodic and cathodic reactions without altering the corrosion mechanism. EIS data suggest that a protective layer forms, supported by FE-SEM and AFM surface analyses, which reveal improved morphology and reduced roughness. Computational validations corroborate these empirical findings, highlighting the feasibility of these ionic liquids for effective, sustainable corrosion mitigation.