Imidazole derivatives as efficient and potential class of corrosion inhibitors for metals and alloys in aqueous electrolytes: A review

Corrosion control of metals is of technical, economical, environmental, and aesthetical importance. The negative impacts of corrosion are so enormous, and it is therefore imperative for oil and gas industry, particularly offshore industry to have corrosion awareness in their daily activities with a view to providing corrosion protection of offshore structures, and ensure safe and productive drilling operations. One of the most economically viable method of ameliorating the menace of corrosion is the use of corrosion inhibitors. Imidazole derivatives have been extensively studied as potential corrosion inhibitors because of their potential for inhibition at relatively low concentrations in a highly corrosive environment, as well as their low toxicity and broad biological and pharmaceutical activities. The inhibitive activity of imidazole compounds is due to dissociated electron pairs and π electrons in their molecular structures. This review summarizes the corrosion inhibition of materials in acidic media using imidazole derivatives. Some recent researches were collected and discussed from previous works.