Evaluating the Corrosion Inhibition Performance of Cerium Oxide = Cerium Nitrate Inhibitors on Carbon Steel in Chloride Solutions

This study evaluates the effectiveness of CeO2 nanoparticles (NPs) as corrosion inhibitors for A1008 low carbon steel and compares their performance with cerium nitrate inhibitors. Several parameters, including inhibitor concentration, solution temperature, and immersion duration, were considered in the assessment. All experiments were carried out in a 3.5% NaCl solution. Electrochemical and surface analysis techniques were used to characterize the samples. The results demonstrated that both CeO2 NPs and cerium nitrate effectively prevent corrosion at optimal concentrations during short and long immersion periods, with adsorption primarily governed by physical mechanisms. Moreover, Ce3+ ions exhibited higher corrosion resistance compared to CeO2 NPs, particularly at elevated temperatures and over extended exposure times. The incorporation of both ceria NPs and Ce3+ ions into the protective layer enhanced the durability of carbon steel surfaces by reducing nodule formation and promoting a more homogeneous surface, largely free of corrosion products.