Physicochemical studies of tamarind shell tannins as a potential green rust converter

The characterization of tamarind shell tannins for potential use in rust transformation was studied. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and phytochemical assays were applied to examine tamarind shell tannins. The analyses revealed that the methanol extract of tamarind shell (TME) was rich in phytochemical compounds, compared to that of aqueous acetone extract of tamarind shell (TAE). Furthermore, the FTIR and NMR studies confirmed the presence of tannins. The FTIR study on the performance of tamarind shell tannins on rust treatment via the effects of concentration, pH, and reaction time was evaluated. The FTIR spectra revealed that the percentage rust transformation (RT %) was in the order of lepidocrocite (γ-FeOOH) > magnetite (Fe3O4) > goethite (α-FeOOH). Meanwhile, the results obtained revealed that lepidocrocite peaks completely disappeared, and magnetite peaks reduced intensity up to 95.83 RT % for TME and 94.75 RT % for TAE. The TME was the best rust converter at 7% concentration.