Inhibition of corrosion of carbon steel in well water by arginine-Zn2+ system

The environmental friendly inhibitor system arginine-Zn2+, has been investigated by weight-loss method. A synergistic effect exists between arginine and Zn2+ system. The formulation consisting of 250 ppm of arginine and 5 ppm of Zn2+ offers good inhibition efficiency of 98 %. Polarization study reveals that this formulation functions as an anodic inhibitor. AC impedance spectra reveal that a protective film is formed on the metal sur­face. The FTIR spectral study leads to the conclusion that the Fe2+- DL-arginine complex, formed on anodic sites of the metal surface, controls the anodic reaction. Zn(OH)2 formed on the cathodic sites of the metal surface controls the cathodic reaction. The surface morphology and the roughness of the metal surface were analyzed with Atomic Force Microscope. A suitable mechanism of corrosion inhibition is proposed based on the results obtained from weight loss study and surface analysis technique