Abstract
The corrosion of copper in an aqueous 0.5 M H
2
SO
4
has been studied under the effect of Arghel plant extracts using potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance measurements. Electrochemical impedance technique showed that the process of dissolution of copper in 0.5 M H
2
SO
4
acid happens under activation control. Curves of Potentiodynamic polarization proved that the Arghel extract behaves as a mixed-type inhibitor. The corrosion inhibition efficiency of copper and the of the Arghel extract were calculated. The results showed that the extract solution of the plant could serve as an effective inhibition of the copper corrosion in H
2
SO
4
acid media. The corrosion inhibition increased as the Arghel extract concentration increased. The inhibition actions of Arghel extract were discussed on the basis of an adsorption of stable complex at the copper surface. The adsorption behavior of Arghel extract followed Langmuir’s isotherm. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and contact surface angle measurements detect the formation of a protective hydrophobic film on the copper surface due to the adsorption of the extract components onto the copper electrode.