Constructing efficacy: a novel perspective on organic corrosion inhibitors and interfacial interactions

Notwithstanding diverse proposed methods for metal corrosion prevention, inhibitors are still the most popular. Undoubtedly, efficiency is the first and foremost important parameter for a proper inhibitor selection. But in some cases, the applied inhibitor could not reduce an acceptable portion of corrosion owing to multiple limiting factors. Unfortunately, contemporary researchers are not interested in pursuing a critical constructivist viewpoint on this issue and most of the inhibitors have been abandoned simply because of their low efficiency. However, with a scientific and conscious look over the inhibitors’ configuration and environmental stimuli, inhibitors’ proficiency can be simply reached at the highest possible. Fortunately, concerning the imposed biological standards, the importance of optimization and inhibitors’ innovative application is now more momentous than previous decades. Structural modification and correct inclusion of functional groups (i.e., aromatic rings, π–system, heterocyclic rings, heteroatoms, alkyl chains, substituents, polymer chains and monomers) in inhibitors configuration is the most simple but constructive approach for tuning inhibitors’ performance. But alongside the proper structure, attention should also be paid to the environmental stimuli. Environmental stimuli, including the immersion time, inhibitor concentration, temperature, media and metal type, are important influential variables that can impose numerous limitations on the impact of the utilized corrosion inhibitor. The main aim of this advanced and critical review is the creation of a modern perspective to choose a prosperous potential inhibitor and create new ideas to design specific potential inhibitors suitable for different industries and applications. Although smart corrosion inhibitors have overcome many available obstacles in traditional inhibitors, one step further, the provided futuristic suggestions in the present work try to solve the few available issues in this class of inhibitors to claim more durable protection.