Corrosion protection ability of self-assembled monolayer of 3-amino-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole on copper electrode

•Self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of AMTa has been achieved on copper surface.•Monolayer formed has been duly characterized.•SAM of AMTa has been shown to offer significant protection to copper in NaCl medium.

The self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of 3-amino-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole (AMTa) was formed on a copper surface and characterized using cyclic voltammetry, Fourier Transform Infra-red spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Quantum chemical calculations suggested the stronger interaction between AMTa and copper. The protection ability of SAM has been evaluated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarization measurements. The formed monolayer showed significant protection ability in 1% NaCl medium. The enhanced corrosion protection ability could be due to the compact film structure which blocks the electron transfer from the solution to AMTa monolayer modified copper substrate.