Green β-cyclodextrin-based corrosion inhibitors: Recent developments, innovations and future opportunities

β-Cyclodextrin-based compounds are used to develop and innovate materials that protect against corrosion due to their sustainability, low cost, environmental friendliness, excellent water solubility and high inhibition efficiency. However, corrosion potentials of β-CD-based compounds were not reviewed with the modern trends. The essence of the problem is that a deep understanding of the development and innovation of β-CD-based compounds as corrosion inhibitors is very important in creating next-generation materials for corrosion protection. In this review, the fundamental behaviour, importance, developments and innovations of β-CD modified with natural and synthetic polymers, β-CD grafted with the organic compounds, β-CD-based supramolecular (host-guest) systems with organic molecules, polymer β-CD-based supramolecular (host-guest) systems, β-CD-based graphene oxide materials, β-CD-based nanoparticle materials and β-CD-based nanocarriers as corrosion inhibitors for various metals were reviewed and discussed with recent research works as examples. In addition, the corrosion inhibition of β-CD-based compounds for biocorrosion, microbial corrosion and biofouling was reviewed. It was found that (i) these compounds are sustainable, inexpensive, environmentally friendly, and highly water-soluble and have high inhibition efficiency; (ii) the molecular structure of β-CD makes it an excellent molecular container for corrosion inhibitors compounds; (iii) the β-CD is excellent core to develop the next generation of corrosion inhibitors. It is recommended that (i) β-CD compounds would be synthesized by green methods, such as using biological sustainable catalysts and green solvents, green methods include irradiation or heating, energy-efficient microwave irradiation, mechanochemical mixing, solid-state reactions, hydrothermal reactions and multicomponent reactions; (ii) this review will be helpful in creating, enhancing and innovating the next green and efficient materials for future corrosion protection in high-impact industries.