Present and emerging trends in using pharmaceutically active compounds as aqueous phase corrosion inhibitors

Abstract Development and consumption of chemical medicines (drugs) as metallic corrosion inhibitors are already established as one of the greenest and effective protocols. Because of their complex structures and large surface area, drug molecules provide excellent surface coverage and protection. Their molecular structures contain numerous electron rich centers such as aromatic rings and polar functional groups through which they effectively adsorb and behave as good corrosion inhibitors. In spite of their complex structures, chemical medicines are highly soluble in polar electrolytes because of the presence of numerous polar functional groups. Fresh and expired chemical medicines are widely used for different metals and alloys in various electrolytic media. Literature investigation showed that most of the employed drugs act as mixed-type corrosion inhibitors. The chemical medicines become effective by forming an inhibitive film at the interface of environment and metal surface. Adsorption of the chemical medicines on metallic surface mostly obeys the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Presence review article describes the recent advancements of using chemical medicines as corrosion inhibitors. Advantages and limitations are also described along with the current progress and emerging trends of using chemical medicines as corrosion inhibitors.