Recent Advances in Green Inhibitors as Anticorrosion Agent for Aluminium and Its Alloys in Various Corrosive Media: A Review

Metal corrosion is a natural process caused by environmental factors such as moisture, oxygen and chemicals. This review explores aluminium corrosion protection in acidic and alkaline media, focusing on eco-friendly green inhibitors derived from natural sources like plant extracts, organic and biopolymers. A protective thin film layer formed by the chemical adsorption of the inhibitor or by the combination of inhibitor ions with the metal surface in the corrosion of aluminium. Various analytical techniques used to assess inhibition efficiency and surface properties including Gravimetric (weight loss), Temperature effect, Gasometric, Potentiodynamic polarization, Hydrogen evaluation and Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, Surface analytical methods include Scanning electron microscopy, Response surface methodology, Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Atomic force microscopy, Fukui functions, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence and Electrochemical frequency modulation. Absorbed inhibitor molecules contain functional groups analyzed by Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Gas chromatography, Liquid chromatography and Mass spectrometry. Computational studies include Density functional theory study of electronic structure and interactions and Molecular dynamics simulation predict insights into the dynamic behaviour of atoms and molecules. These techniques help to understand the properties of protective coatings, contributing to corrosion prevention, material durability and industrial applications. Overall, this review provides a comprehensive overview of recently studied various green inhibitors for aluminium corrosion protection in different corrosive environments.