Synergistic inhibition of carbon steel corrosion in seawater by cerium chloride and sodium gluconate

In this research the effect of cerium (III) chloride heptahydrate (CC) and sodium gluconate (SG) on the corrosion inhibition of carbon steel C45 (1531) in natural seawater has been evaluated using electrochemical methods and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that substantial corrosion inhibition (94.98%) using CC and SG can be obtained in synergistic manner. Surface analysis confirmed the presence of cerium ions incorporated in the protective layer of carbon steel specimen. SG acts predominantly as anodic inhibitor whereas CC acts as a mixed type inhibitor. Using both inhibitors predominant mechanism of anodic inhibition is observed.