Nanostructure, surface and anticorrosion properties of phyto-fabricated copper nanocomposite in simulated oilfield descaling fluid

Abstract Copper nanocomposites were synthesized by complexation reaction between aqueous extracts of the waste onion peels and aqueous copper salt, characterized and investigated as corrosion inhibitor for steel in oilfield acid wash or descaling solution. Nanostructure and colloidal analyses of the nanocomposite reveal predominantly polydisperse agglomerates particle sizes between 32 - 98 nm and average zeta potential of -36.8 mV. Composite surface was found to be rich in O and N which acted as active sites that facilitate adsorption of composite on X80 steel surface and consequently protected the surface against corrosion in 1 M HCl. Corrosion process was monitored by electrochemical and weight loss techniques while corrosion products and surface protection were examined by FTIR, SEM/EDS and AFM. Addition of small amounts of CS-EX to 1 M HCl resulted in decreased corrosion rate, current density and surface roughness but increased charge transfer resistance and efficient corrosion protection even at high temperature. CS-EX acted as mixed type inhibitor and excessive pitting damage and surface roughness caused due to acid corrosion by 69.2 %. Novel application of CS-EX as promising efficient and cost effective alternative green anticorrosion additive for oilfield acid wash and pickling solutions has therefore been demonstrated.