Exploration of aspartame as a green and sustainable corrosion inhibitor for T95 steel in 28 wt.% HCl at elevated temperatures: effect of sodium dodecylsufate and KI addition on performance

Acidizing is a vital oil well stimulation exercise but must be done with an effective corrosion inhibitor to reduce corrosion risk. It is, however becoming increasingly difficult to find a corrosion inhibitor that is ecologically compatible and effective in strong acids and high temperatures. In this scientific communication, aspartame (ASP), sodium dodecylsufate (SDS), and potassium iodide (KI) blend is presented as a highly efficient inhibitor for T95 steel in 28 wt.% HCl solution at 60–90 °C. The corrosion inhibition investigation was performed using weight loss and electrochemical (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy [EIS] and potentiodynamic polarization [PDP]) techniques complemented by surface analysis of the corroded steel without and with the inhibitor using scanning electron microscope (SEM)/energy dispersive x-ray spectrophotometer (EDX), and 3D optical profilometry (OP). ASP is an effective corrosion inhibitor for T95 steel in an acidizing environment. The inhibition efficiency (IE) increased with an increase in concentration and temperature. The additives (SDS and KI) enhanced the inhibitive performance of ASP due to synergistic effects, especially at 90 °C where an IE of 96% is tenable. Results from SEM/EDS and OP disclose apparent ASP-based inhibitor adsorption on the T95 surface and a high level of protection.