An improved protection of alanine for atmospheric corrosion of mild steel using carbon dots-montmorillonite hybrid materials

Purpose The aim of this paper is to solve the toxic and harmful problems caused by traditional volatile corrosion inhibitor (VCI) and to analyze the effect of the layered structure on the enhancement of the volatile corrosion inhibition prevention performance of amino acids. Design/methodology/approach The carbon dots-montmorillonite (DMT) hybrid material is prepared via hydrothermal process. The effect of the DMT-modified alanine as VCI for mild steel is investigated by volatile inhibition sieve test, volatile corrosion inhibition ability test, electrochemical measurement and surface analysis technology. It demonstrates that the DMT hybrid materials can improve the ability of alanine to protect mild steel against atmospheric corrosion effectively. The presence of carbon dots enlarges the interlamellar spacing of montmorillonite and allows better dispersion of alanine. The DMT-modified alanine has higher volatilization ability and an excellent corrosion inhibition of 85.3% for mild steel. Findings The DMT hybrid material provides a good template for the distribution of VCI, which can effectively improve the vapor-phase antirust property of VCI. Research limitations/implications The increased volatilization rate also means increased VCI consumption and higher costs. Practical implications Provides a new way of thinking to replace the traditional toxic and harmful VCI. Originality/value For the first time, amino acids are combined with nano laminar structures, which are used to solve the problem of difficult volatilization of amino acids.