Novel green plants extract as corrosion inhibiting coating for steel embedded in concrete

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate the ability of Aubepine and Molokhia extract, obtained by cathodic electrochemical treatment (CET), to protect steel rebar against attack by chloride ions in environment of reinforced concrete marine structures. The effect of Aubepine and Molokhia extract was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

This experimental work has achieved particularity to compare the behaviour of two types of treatment (carbon steel treated one time by Aubepine extract and one time by Molokhia extract) submitted to the presence and absence of chloride ions.

Findings

The results obtained show that the extract solution of the plant could serve as an effective inhibitor for the corrosion of steel. Inhibition was found to increase with increasing concentration of Molokhia extract and for Aubepine extract maximum concentration is 1 g/L.

Research limitations/implications

Plant extracts and traditional medicinal herbs have become important as an environmentally acceptable, readily available and renewable source for wide range of inhibitors.

Originality/value

Aubepine and Molokhia extract are novel green plants extract as corrosion inhibiting coating for steel embedded in concrete. Aubepine is a genus of trees in the family Rosaceae and Molokhia is the leaves of Corchorus olitorius. Flavonoids content was found in both of Aubepine and Molokhia extract as green inhibitors for corrosion of metals.

Citation

ElShami, A.A., Bonnet, S., Makhlouf, M.H., Khelidj, A. and Leklou, N. (2020), "Novel green plants extract as corrosion inhibiting coating for steel embedded in concrete", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 49 No. 6, pp. 501-514. https://doi.org/10.1108/PRT-09-2019-0078