Sodium phthalamates as corrosion inhibitors for carbon steel in aqueous hydrochloric acid solution

Three compounds of N-alkyl-sodium phthalamates were synthesized and tested as corrosion inhibitors for carbon steel in 0.5 M aqueous hydrochloric acid. Tests showed that inhibitor efficiencies were related to aliphatic chain length and dependent on concentration. N-1-n-tetradecyl-sodium phthalamate displayed moderate efficiency against uniform corrosion, 42–86% at 25 °C and 25–60% at 40 °C. Tests indicated that compounds behave as mixed type inhibitors where molecular adsorption on steel followed Langmuir isotherm, whereas thermodynamic suggested that a physisorption process occurred. XPS analysis confirmed film formation on surface, where Fe+2 complexes and Fe+2 chelates with phthalamates prevented steel from further corrosion.

► N-Alkyl-sodium phthalamates as corrosion inhibitors for industry in acidic medium.
► Compounds behaved as mixed type inhibitors and followed Langmuir adsorption isotherm.
► Efficiencies were proportional to aliphatic chain length and inhibitor concentration.
► Iron complexes and chelates with phthalamates contributed to carbon steel protection.