Carboxymethyl Cellulose/Silver Nanoparticles Composite: Synthesis, Characterization and Application as a Benign Corrosion Inhibitor for St37 Steel in 15% H₂SO₄ Medium

This study has been designed to boost the inhibition efficiency and stability of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and this objective has been achieved by incorporating silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) generated in situ by reduction of AgNO₃ using natural honey into CMC matrix. Characterization of CMC/AgNPs composite was done using transmission electron microscope (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Weight loss, electrochemical (dynamic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and potentiodynamic polarization) supported by surface assessment (SEM, atomic force microscope, and FTIR) techniques are deployed for the anticorrosion studies of CMC/AgNPs on St37 specimen in 15% H₂SO₄ medium. CMC/AgNPs performs better than CMC. At 25 °C, optimum inhibition efficiency of 93.94% is afforded by 1000 ppm of CMC/AgNPs from DEIS method. Inhibition efficiency of 96.37% has been achieved from weight loss method at 60 °C. CMC/AgNPs is found to retard both the anodic and cathodic reactions and the adsorption is explained using Langmuir adsorption isotherm. AFM and SEM graphics reveal smoother surface for St37 sample in the acid solution containing inhibitor than inthe solution without the inhibiting agent. FTIR and EDS results show that CMC/AgNPs molecules were adsorbed on the metal surface.