Electrochemical study on the effect of Schiff base and its cobalt complex on the acid corrosion of steel

The effect of the Schiff base N,N′-bis (salicylaldehyde)-1,3-diaminopropane (Salpr) and its corresponding cobalt complex on the corrosion behaviour of steel in 1 M sulphuric acid solution were studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and potentiodynamic polarization techniques. Spectrophotometry measurements were employed to investigate the stability of the complex in acid media. The inhibitive effect of Salpr and its stable octahedral cobalt complex is argued to their adsorption over the steel surface. Theoretical fitting of different isotherms, Langmuir, Flory–Huggins and the kinetic–thermodynamic model were tested to clarify the nature of adsorption. The data revealed that there might be non-ideal behaviour in the adsorption processes of Co(Salpr) complex on the steel surface. The Co(Salpr) could displace more water molecules from the steel surface than the corresponding Salpr. The bulky Co(Salpr) molecule could cover more than one active site.