Modification of conducting arylidene copolymers by formation of inclusion complexes: synthesis, characterization, and applications as highly corrosion inhibitors for mild steel

Modifying the metal surface is one solution to the industry’s growing corrosion problem. Thus, via threading approach and insertion of copolymers (CoP5-7) containing polyarylidenes through the internal cavity beta-cyclodextrin β-CD, novel pseudopolyrotaxanes copolymers (PC5-7) are developed, resulting in mild steel corrosion inhibition. Inhibitors of corrosion based on β-CD molecules adsorb strongly to metal surfaces because of their many polar groups, adsorption centers, many linkages of side chains, and benzene rings. The corrosion inhibition efficiencies IE % statistics have been revised via the Tafel polarization method and Spectroscopy based on the electrochemical impedance (EIS), with PC7 achieving the highest 99.93% in 1.0 M H 2 SO 4 ; they are mixed-type inhibitors. The chemical composition of the resulting PCs is determined with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is utilized to examine the morphological structure of the produced polymers, and X-ray diffraction is employed to identify crystallinity. Encapsulating CoP5-7 with β-CD changes the morphological structures and increases the generated PCs' crystallinity. The thermal stability of PCs is studied, indicating the presence of these CoPs within the β-CD cavities enhances their thermal stability. This research will be a stepping stone for developing high-efficiency anti-corrosion coatings and various industrial applications.