LAUSR

Abstract In this work, for the first time, the Satureja Hortensis leaves was extracted by ultra-pure water solution and then, the synergistic inhibition effect of various mixtures of Satureja Hortensis extract (SHE) and zinc cations on carbon steel corrosion in 3.5% saline (NaCl) solution was investigated. The proposed compounds' effectiveness in carbon steel corrosion mitigation was surveyed by polarization and EIS tests. The inhibition efficiency of 99.34% was recorded for 700 ppm Zn + 300 ppm SHE. Surface characterizations were conducted employing scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with EDX, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) analysis, Fourier transmission infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD), and contact angle (CA) analysis which vividly proved the results of the electrochemical investigation. A mixed protection behavior was observed according to the polarization test results. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation results complemented the experimental findings in affording insights into the adsorption mechanism at the atomic/molecular scale.