Insights into the newly synthesized N-doped carbon dots for Q235 steel corrosion retardation in acidizing media: A detailed multidimensional study

N-doped carbon quantum dots (NCQDs) were synthesized by a hydrothermal method using folic acid and o-phenylenediamine as precursors. The inhibition behaviour of the NCQDs on Q235 steel in 1 M HCl solution was appraised through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), potentiodynamic polarization curves (PDP), and surface analysis. The results demonstrated that the synthesized NCQDs had an effective anticorrosion effect on Q235 steel, and the corrosion inhibition efficiency of 150 mg/L NCQDs reached 95.4%. Additionally, the analysis of the PDP corrosion potential changes indicated that the NCQDs acted as a mixed corrosion inhibitor. Moreover, the NCQDs adsorbed onto the surface of steel by coordinating its electron-rich atoms with the iron metal to form a protective film, which slowed the dissolution reaction of the anodic metal to achieve corrosion inhibition. The adsorption mechanism of the NCQDs was consistent with Langmuir adsorption, including physical and chemical adsorption. Therefore, this work can inspire and facilitate, to a certain extent, the future application of doped carbon quantum dots as efficient corrosion inhibitors in pickling solutions.