The Inhibitory Properties of Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) Boiling Extract on the Corrosion of Mild Steel in Sulphuric Acid Medium

   The use of compounds extracted from natural sources and waste from the food industry, in particular plant materials, is considered as a promising direction in the search for corrosion inhibitors. The inhibitory ability of the boiling extract from the leaves and the flowers of Melissa officinalis on the corrosion of mild stainless steel EN Fe37-3FN in 0,5 M sulphuric acid medium investigated using electrochemical methods and EIS. It was shown that the addition of 100 mg/L of the Melissa officinalis extract reduces the corrosion rate by 15 %, and that of of 10 g/L – by 75 %. The adsorption of the extract components on a steel surface follows the Langmuir adsorption model, and the nature of adsorption is mostly physical. The adsorption of extract components on the steel surface is described by the Langmuir adsorption model with a good approximation reliability coefficient. The calculated Gibbs energy of the adsorption process does not exceed – 20 kJ/mol, which indicates the physical nature of adsorption. The efficiencies of corrosion inhibition of low-carbon steel in sulfuric acid with lemon balm extract, determined in the work, are comparable to the values of its efficiencies of corrosion inhibition of steels in hydrochloric acid. The Melissa officinalis extract shows itself as perspective and environmentally friendly substance for reducing the steel corrosion rate in acidic environments.

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