Experimental and computational investigation of Mentha spicata extract as a green corrosion inhibitor for carbon steel

• S. Hadisaputra¹, L. Lubab¹, C.A. Putri¹, L.R.T. Savalas¹, A.A. Purwoko¹ and S. Hamdiani²

¹ Chemistry Education Division, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, University of Mataram, Mataram, 83125, Indonesia
² Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, University of Mataram, Mataram, 83125, Indonesia

Abstract: Corrosion remains a significant challenge in industrial applications involving carbon steel, thus requiring an effective and sustainable inhibition strategy. This study investigated the potential of Mentha spicata extract (MSE) as a green corrosion inhibitor of carbon steel alloy ASTM A36 in 1 M hydrochloric acid, an extreme industrial environmental condition. Using potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) methods, MSE showed a high inhibition efficiency of 97.4%. As the inhibitor concentration increased, a stable, protective layer on the steel surface was formed. Adsorption studies confirmed that MSE followed the Langmuir isotherm model, indicating monolayer adsorption of inhibitor molecules on the metal surface. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified carvone (31.87%), limonene (18.58%), and menthol (3.05%) as the main components contributing to the corrosion inhibition mechanism. The density functional theory (DFT) study showed that carvone was the dominant species that formed the protective layer. Monte Carlo simulation further strengthens this finding by showing a strong interaction between carvone and Fe(110) surface through planar molecular orientation. These results confirm that MSE is a very effective and environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitor and can be an alternative to conventional inhibitors with applications in various acidic environmental conditions.

Keywords: corrosion inhibitor, ASTM A36 steel, Mentha spicata extract, DFT, Monte Carlo simulation

Int. J. Corros. Scale Inhib., 2026, 15, no. 1, 183-200
doi: 10.17675/2305-6894-2026-15-1-9

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