Abstract
Anodic inhibition of steel in 8 mol L
−1
H
3
PO
4
was investigated in the absence and presence of different concentrations of extracts of Lawsonia inermis. An experimental measurement, including galvanostatic polarization studies, was done. The anodic corrosion rate and the inhibition efficiencies of the extract were calculated. The results obtained show that the inhibition was found to increase with increasing concentration of Lawsonia inermis extract. The inhibition actions of extracts are discussed on the basis of adsorption of Lawsonia inermis at the steel surface. Theoretical fitting of different isotherms were tested to clarify the nature of adsorption. Polarization curves revealed that Lawsonia inermis inhibitor acts as a corrosion inhibitor. The activation energy (E
a
) as well as other thermodynamic parameters (ΔH*, ΔS*, ΔG*) for the inhibition process were calculated. These thermodynamic parameters show strong interaction between the inhibitor and the steel surface. The scanning electron microscope analysis study confirmed the adsorption of inhibitor molecules on the steel surface. The social organization and morphology of the extract were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.