Adsorption properties and inhibition of mild steel corrosion in sulphuric acid solution by ketoconazole: Experimental and theoretical investigation

Ketoconazole (KCZ) has been evaluated as a corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in aerated 0.1 M H2SO4 by gravimetric method. The effect of KCZ on the corrosion rate was determined at various temperatures and concentrations. The inhibition efficiency increases with increase in inhibitor concentration but decrease with rise in temperature. Adsorption followed the Langmuir isotherm with negative values of Δ Gads0, suggesting a stable and a spontaneous inhibition process. Quantum chemical approach was further used to calculate some electronic properties of the molecule in order to ascertain any correlation between the inhibitive effect and molecular structure of ketoconazole. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.