Aminophylline: thermal characterization and its inhibitory properties for the carbon steel corrosion in acidic environment

Aminophylline (AMF) was studied as corrosion inhibitor for carbon steel in 1.0 mol L−1 HCl solution using electrochemical measurements associated with UV–Vis spectrophotometry and optical microscopy. Simultaneous thermogravimetry/derivative thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry analysis was performed in order to determine the temperature range in which AMF is an effective inhibitor, without the decomposition risk that could change the inhibition mechanism. Thermal behaviour restricts AMF application as corrosion inhibitor for carbon steel in 1.0 mol L−1 HCl solution at temperatures ≤45 °C where there are no significant modifications of the adsorption mechanism. According to the results of electrochemical measurements, in association with UV–Vis spectrophotometry and optical microscopy techniques, AMF is a mixed-type inhibitor for carbon steel corrosion in 1.0 mol L−1 HCl solution, simultaneously suppressing the anodic and cathodic processes and acting via spontaneous physisorption on the metal surfaces.