In-situ preparation, characterization and anticorrosion property of polypropylene glycol/silver nanoparticles composite for mild steel corrosion in acid solution

A novel polypropylene glycol/silver nanoparticles (PPG/AgNPs) composite was prepared in-situ using natural honey as the reducing and capping agent. Characterization of the composite was done by UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, TEM, XRD, and EDS. The TEM results reveal that the nanoparticles are spherical in shape. XRD and EDS results confirm the presence of elemental silver in the polymer matrix. The influence of the prepared composite on the corrosion inhibition of mild steel in 0.5M H₂SO₄ solution was studied by weight loss, electrochemical, SEM, EDS, and water contact angle measurements. Results show that PPG/AgNPs is effective inhibitor for mild steel in 0.5M H₂SO₄ solution and adsorbs onto the metal surface via chemisorption mechanism. Maximum inhibition efficiency of 94% is afforded by the highest studied concentration of PPG/AgNPs at 333K from weight loss measurements. Potentiodynamic polarization results reveal that the composite acts as a mixed-type corrosion inhibitor. Adsorption of PPG/AgNPs composite onto the mild steel surface follows Temkin adsorption isotherm. The SEM, EDS, and water contact angle images confirm the formation of PPG/AgNPs protective film on the mild steel surface.