Cyclodextrin-based functionalized graphene oxide as an effective corrosion inhibitor for carbon steel in acidic environment

Abstract Cyclodextrin-based functionalized Graphene Oxide (CD-GO), was synthesized utilizing cost-effective waste graphite as a source for production of graphene. The obtained novel material, CD-GO, was characterized and evaluated for corrosion inhibition of X60 carbon steels in solutions of HCl at room temperature. The inhibition efficacy of the CD-GO material was evaluated by the use of the weight loss measurement as well as electrochemical techniques. The findings from both were in excellent agreements. CD-GO demonstrated high inhibition efficacy which enhances with increasing CD-GO concentrations. The SEM/EDX, FTIR, and UV–vis surface characterization analysis prove the growth of the protective film of CD-GO on the steel surface. The CD-GO materials were adsorbed on the surface of the steel via oxygen atoms of the CD-GO forming a CD-GO/metal complex on the steel surface. This work is of importance and has dual benefits; graphene was prepared from waste graphite and converted into useful materials used to solve the corrosion problem.