Corrosion Inhibition of Mild Steel in Acid Environment using Telfairia occidentalis Leaves Extract

Extract of Telfairia occidentalis leaves, as organic corrosion inhibitor of mild steel in corrosive medium of sulphuric acid (H2SO4) has been investigated at room temperature of 320C using gravimetric technique. Mild steel coupons of 25mm by 25mm with thickness of 0.8mm were suspended in acidic medium in the absence and presence of the leaves extract for a duration of 2 hours in 10MH2SO4 acid solution. The concentrations of leaves extract used were 0.625g/L, 1.250g/L, 2.500g/L and 3.750g/L. The results show that corrosion rate dropped as the concentration of telfairia occidentalis leaves extract increases. It also shows that the leaves extract has good adsorption properties as experimental data fit the Langmuir and Temkin adsorption isotherm with calculated correlation coefficient of 0.9995 and 0.9977 respectively. The lateral interaction parameter was calculated to -6.5922. Also, the adsorbed molecules of the extract showed inhibitory action on dissolution process of mild steel in sulphuric acid. Thus, telfairia occidentalis leaves extract whose plants are bountiful in the Southern Province of Nigeria and in many West African nations, provides good corrosive inhibition in mild steel.