Evaluation of Ginkgo leaf extract as an eco-friendly corrosion inhibitor of X70 steel in HCl solution

Abstract The corrosion inhibition of X70 steel in 1 M HCl by Ginkgo leaf extract (GLE) was investigated by conducting electrochemical measurements. The inhibition efficiency exceeded 90% in the presence of 200 mg/L GLE at all of the tested temperatures. The excellent inhibition capacity, which was attributed to the formation of inhibitor–adsorption films on the surface of the X70 steel, was confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The adsorption of GLE on steel surface followed the Langmuir adsorption model. Potential of zero charge measurement and quantum chemical calculation were adopted to elucidate the inhibition mechanism.