Corrosion Inhibitors: Mitigating the Degradation of Rebar

Author

Jake R. Hughes, The University of AkronFollow

College

Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences

Date of Last Revision

2024-09-19 12:08:04

Major

Corrosion Engineering

Honors Course

CHEE 497

Number of Credits

3

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Date of Expected Graduation

Spring 2024

Abstract

Our conjecture was twofold: first, that two compounds historically used as food preservatives could act as environmentally friendly inhibitors against rebar corrosion, and second, that molecular properties have a quantifiable influence on inhibition efficiency (%IE). To evaluate the two compounds, cyclic potentiodynamic polarization was used to determine corrosion current density (i_corr) and %IE. The “green” inhibitor candidates included sodium metabisulfite and ascorbic acid, which yielded maximum %IE values of -123900% and 91%, respectively. Results indicated that sodium metabisulfite is not a suitable inhibitor, while ascorbic acid showed potential to extend reinforced concrete’s design life without posing health or environmental risks. Next, relationships between experimentally determined %IE and molecular properties determined using density functional theory were represented graphically. Linear fitting was then used to obtain R² values, which classified the strength of each relationship. The strongest correlations existed within a group of four compounds, which shared structural similarities. Electronic energy, E_gap, dipole moment, and polarizability exhibited directional trends with respective R² values of 0.118 (decreasing), 0.601 (decreasing), 0.122 (increasing), and 0.809 (increasing). These findings imply the existence of such relationships, suggesting potential for refining future corrosion inhibitor research.

Research Sponsor

Donald Visco

First Reader

Qixin Zhou

Second Reader

Jennifer Lillard

Honors Faculty Advisor

Donald Visco

Proprietary and/or Confidential Information

No

Recommended Citation

Hughes, Jake R., "Corrosion Inhibitors: Mitigating the Degradation of Rebar" (2024). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 1884.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/1884