Experimental and Theoretical Studies of Red Apple Fruit Extract as Green Corrosion Inhibitor for Mild Steel in HCl Solution

The corrosion inhibition effect of red apple (Malus domestica) fruit extract for mild steel in hydrochloric acid was investigated by gravimetric and electrochemical methods at 30–60°C. Inhibition efficiency increased with the increase in concentration and temperature. Polarization curves indicate that the extract functions as mixed-type inhibitor. The adsorption of the extract onto mild steel surface followed Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. Chemisorption mechanism is proposed based on the trend of inhibition efficiency with temperature. Quantum chemical calculations and molecular dynamics simulations have been used to provide insights into the mechanism of interaction of the major extract components with mild steel.