Novel advancements in protection of steel surfaces using polystyrene supported nanoparticles of metallic zinc as sacrificial corrosion inhibitors

Abstract

Corrosion poses a significant challenge, causing severe damage to steel infrastructures across various industries, particularly those involved in delivering fossil fuel sources. The present study introduces an innovative approach to the development of corrosion inhibitors through the synthesis of a zinc nanoparticle (Zn NP) and polystyrene (PS) composite (ZnNPs@PS composite). The synthesized composite was characterized, revealing a surface area (S_BET) of 33.62 m² g⁻¹ and an average pore diameter (D_p) of 9 nm. The analysis was conducted using several techniques including Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The successful immobilization of Zn NPs, with an average size range of 4–50 nm, within the PS matrix was confirmed. The composite's corrosion inhibition efficiency (CIE) was evaluated using the weight loss method. Treated steel samples, after immersion in formation water, diesel fuel, and sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) for 10 days at 25 °C, demonstrated CIE percentages of 94.27%, 88.18%, and 85.05%, respectively. This novel composite thus shows promising potential as an effective corrosion inhibitor for steel in various corrosive environments.