Evaluation of an imidazolium based ionic liquid as corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in H2SO4

Recent research findings have indicated that ionic liquids can be used as effective alternatives for harmful organic inhibitors. In this paper, the effect of an imidazolium based ionic liquid (1,4 -di [1' –methylene- 3'- methyl imidazulim bromide]- benzene) on the corrosion of mild steel in 1M H2SO4 is studied through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and polarization measurements as well as scanning electron microscopy. The slope of anodic and cathodic branches revealed that the compound is a mixed-type inhibitor. Moreover, the trend and magnitude of the parameters extracted from polarization curves and impedance spectra showed the significant impact of concentration on the performance of inhibitor adsorbing on the metal surface based on Langmuir isotherm.