Evaluation of pomegranate peel extract as a green corrosion inhibitor in various aggressive environments

• X. Wang¹, G.R. Gurbanov², G.F. Mammadova², Z.A. Abdullayeva² and Z.Y. Xin³

¹ Petroleum Engineering College, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing 102249, China
² Department of Oil and Gas Transportation and Storage, Faculty of Oil and Gas Field Development, Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University, Baku, AZ1010, Azerbaijan
³ Guangdong Province Shaoguan city Xuxin Tradign Co., Ltd, Shaoguan, Guangdong 512000, China

Abstract: Corrosion of metals in aqueous environments containing dissolved acid gases (such as H₂S and CO₂) is a major challenge for the oil and gas industry, resulting in significant financial losses and serious safety hazards. This study investigates the corrosion inhibition performance of a green inhibitor derived from pomegranate peel extract (PG) for St3 grade carbon steel in H₂S, H₂S+CO₂, and neutral media. Gravimetric (weight-loss), potentiodynamic polarization (PP), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements were conducted at 25–45℃ with extract concentrations of 100–500 ppm. The synergistic effect of sodium iodide (NaI) was also evaluated. PG extract acts as a mixed-type inhibitor, effectively suppressing both anodic and cathodic reactions. Inhibition efficiency (IE) demonstrates a positive correlation with both concentration and temperature. At an optimal concentration of 500 ppm and 45℃, IE reaches 96.8% in H₂S and 97.5% in H₂S+CO₂ medium. In neutral medium at 500 ppm, maximum IE (98.8%) was observed at 25℃, with a slight decrease to 89.7% at 45℃. The addition of NaI exhibited a synergistic effect, further enhancing inhibition performance. Adsorption behavior follows the Langmuir isotherm, with negative ΔG⁰_ads values ranging from –22.4 to –25.4 kJ∙mol^–1, indicating spontaneous adsorption with mixed physisorption–chemisorption character. These findings establish pomegranate peel extract as a viable, environmentally benign, and cost-effective corrosion inhibitor for carbon steel pipelines in aggressive oil-field environments.

Keywords: pomegranate peel extract, natural inhibitor, corrosion, carbon steel, acid gas

Int. J. Corros. Scale Inhib., 2026, 15, no. 2, 386-419
doi: 10.17675/2305-6894-2026-15-2-22

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