Experimental and Computational Studies on the Corrosion Inhibition of Zeolitic Tetrazole Framework (ZTF-8)-Based MOFs against X65 Pipeline Steel in CO₂-Saturated Brine

Abstract

Recently, there has been an increase in concern over metal corrosion, which affects both industrial and local production. This has necessitated the emergence of nanomaterial-based corrosion inhibitors. Herein, we report for the first time the mechanochemical synthesis of zeolitic tetrazole framework (ZTF-8) and its application as an anticorrosion agent for sweet corrosion. The ZTF-8 product was characterized by using professional analytical methods. The inhibition efficiency was further evaluated by using electrochemical and surface probe approaches. The outcome of the electrochemical studies revealed a decline in the corrosion current densities of the inhibited curves compared with the blank curve. The observed shift in corrosion potential was within ±85 mV compared to the blank system, thus suggesting a mixed-type inhibition mechanism. Maximum inhibition efficiency of 93% at 0.1_ZTF-8 was achieved, which reflects on the radius of the inhibited semicircles compared to the blank. The molecule-surface bonding interaction of ZTF-8 was appraised using multilevel quantum chemical computation. The ZTF-8 exhibited a flat adsorption orientation. The flat adsorption orientation was confirmed using surface probe approaches via FESEM, AFM, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. All surface-related observations prove the presence of the ZTF-8 barrier film layer on the X65 steel, thus impeding the ingress of the corrodent.