Evaluation of cysteine as environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitor for copper in neutral and acidic chloride solutions

The efficiency of cysteine as a non-toxic corrosion inhibitor for copper metal in 0.6 M NaCl and 1.0 M HCl has been investigated by electrochemical studies. Potentiodynamic polarization measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy “EIS” were used to study the effect of cysteine on the corrosion inhibition of copper. Inhibition efficiency of about 84% could be achieved in chloride solutions. The presence of Cu2+ ions increases the inhibition efficiency to 90%. Potentiodynamic polarization measurements showed that the presence of cysteine in acidic and neutral chloride solutions affects mainly the cathodic process and decreases the corrosion current to a great extent and shifts the corrosion potential towards more negative values. The experimental impedance data were analyzed according to a proposed equivalent circuit model for the electrode/electrolyte interface. Results obtained from potentiodynamic polarization and impedance measurements are in good agreement. Adsorption of cysteine on the surface of Cu, in neutral and acidic chloride solutions, follows the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The adsorption free energy of cysteine on Cu (∼−25 kJ mol−1) reveals a strong physical adsorption of the inhibitor on the metal surface.