Natural approaches to corrosion control: Essential oils as sustainable inhibitors

• W. Zriouel¹, D. Belfadil², S. Majid^2,3, B. Hammouti⁴ and S. Gmouh¹

¹ Laboratory of Engineering and Materials (LIMAT), Faculty of Sciences Ben M’sick, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca 21100, Morocco
² Laboratory of Materials, Process, and Environmental Engineering (GeMaPE), Faculty of Sciences Aïn Chock, Hassan II University of Casablanca, 5366 Casablanca, Morocco
³ Laboratory of Materials Engineering for the Environment and Valorization (GeMEV), Faculty of Sciences Ain Chock, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca 21100, Morocco
⁴ Euro-Mediterranean University of Fes (UEMF), BP. 15, Fes 30070, Morocco

Abstract: Corrosion is a significant issue across various industries, leading to substantial economic losses and environmental concerns. The limitations of conventional corrosion inhibitors, often associated with toxicity and environmental hazards, have sparked interest in sustainable alternatives. Essential oils (EOs) have gained attention as green corrosion inhibitors due to their natural origin, biodegradability, and low environmental impact. This review explores the potential of EOs for corrosion protection, focusing on their chemical composition, mechanisms of action, and experimental and computational methods used to evaluate their effectiveness. EOs are complex mixtures of bioactive compounds, including terpenoids, phenolics, and flavonoids, which interact with metal surfaces to form protective films, inhibiting electron transfer and reducing corrosion rates. These interactions are influenced by factors such as concentration, temperature, metal type, and the corrosive environment. Experimental techniques such as weight loss measurements, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and surface analysis methods demonstrate the high efficiency of EOs, with inhibition efficiencies often exceeding 90%. Computational approaches, including quantum chemical calculations and molecular dynamics simulations, complement experimental findings, offering insights into adsorption mechanisms and molecular stability. While EOs present numerous advantages, including sustainability and low toxicity, challenges remain, such as variability in composition, cost, and scalability. This review highlights the potential of EOs as eco-friendly corrosion inhibitors, advocating for further research to optimize their application and overcome current limitations, paving the way for sustainable corrosion protection strategies.

Keywords: essential oils, green corrosion inhibitors, electrochemical studies, computational chemistry

Int. J. Corros. Scale Inhib., 2026, 15, no. 1, 1-30
doi: 10.17675/2305-6894-2026-15-1-1

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