Ethylethanolammonium 4-nitrobenzoate

The demand for corrosion inhibitors with low toxicity has increased in the last years in a wide range of sectors. Our study presents the synthesis, X-ray structure, thermal and kinetic investigation of ethylethanolammonium 4-nitrobenzoate (EEA4NB) as corrosion inhibitor for iron in 3% NaCl solution. Proton transfer and hydrogen bonding in the organic salt were elucidated and confirmed by infrared spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Simultaneous TGA–DTA and heat flow analysis were used to study the thermal and kinetic behavior of EEA4NB. The results provided useful information about thermal stability and thermal decomposition. The non-isothermal kinetic parameters were estimated by using three different kinetic methods. Electrochemical corrosion measurements show corrosion inhibitor efficiency of EEA4NB for iron in 3% NaCl solution higher than 92% and a decrease of corrosion current and corrosion rate as a result of adsorption of EEA4NB molecules at the metal/solution interface.