Properties of contaminated reinforced concrete added by Areca catechu leaf extract as an eco-friendly corrosion inhibitor

Abstract

The main reason causing the degeneration of steel-reinforced concrete is supposed to be corrosion of reinforcement steel. In this study, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), linear polarization resistance (LPR), and weight loss have been utilized to evaluate the corrosion of steel reinforcement in contaminated, chemical inhibitor (sodium nitrite) and green inhibitor (Areca catechu extract)-added concrete. Besides, ultrasonic pulse velocity, sulfate and acid attack resistance, heat of hydration, and specific heat capacity tests have been performed to investigate the effect of inhibitor addition on permeability and durability of corrosion inhibitor-added samples. The concrete contaminated with 5% of Magnesium Sulfate (MgSO4) and Sodium Chloride (NaCl) as corrosion stimulant. The results showed that Areca catechu was more corrosive than sodium nitrite. Further, there was no gypsum found visible in SEM observation for Areca catechu-added concrete. The green and chemical inhibitor-modified samples could improve the specific heat capacity behavior of contaminated concrete by 10.77% and 13.25%, respectively. Areca catechu could decrease the corrosion rate of contaminated concrete about 30%, even in an extreme harsh environment applied in the current study. Polarization analysis depicted that Areca catechu extract acted as a mixed-type inhibitor.