PEI-functionalized sugarcane bagasse-derived carbon quantum dots as a low-dose corrosion inhibitor for Q235 carbon steel in 1 M HCl
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Biomass-derived carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are promising corrosion inhibitors, although achieving high inhibition efficiency at low concentrations remains challenging. Herein, sugarcane bagasse-derived carbon quantum dots (SCQDs) were prepared through a one-step hydrothermal method using waste sugarcane bagasse as the carbon precursor and polyethyleneimine as the nitrogen source. Their corrosion inhibition performance for Q235 carbon steel in 1 M HCl was evaluated using electrochemical and weight-loss measurements. At 16 mg/L, the SCQDs achieved inhibition efficiencies of 93.0% and 96.7%, respectively. Surface analyses indicated that the N- and O-containing functional groups of SCQDs interact with Fe sites and promote the formation of an adsorbed protective layer, thereby restricting the transport of aggressive species and suppressing both anodic dissolution and cathodic hydrogen evolution. Adsorption isotherm analysis showed that the adsorption behavior of SCQDs followed the Langmuir model, demonstrating their concentration-dependent adsorption on the Q235 carbon steel surface. The adsorbed SCQDs contributed to the formation of an interfacial protective layer, thereby enhancing the corrosion resistance of carbon steel. These findings demonstrate that sugarcane bagasse-derived SCQDs provide effective corrosion protection at a substantially lower concentration than many previously reported CQD-based inhibitors, offering a promising approach to the development of efficient biomass-derived inhibitors for acidic environments.
Source: Materials Today Communications
Authors: Mengqin Zhang, Lei Guo, Lei Zhu, Yan Tan, Jiangxian He, Viswanathan S. Saji
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,830
Award: G8385621649
OpenAlex ID: W7203662301