Abstract
Maraging steel, although valued for its strength and durability, is highly prone to corrosion under acidic conditions. This work introduces functionalized carbon nanodots (FCNDs), synthesized from phenylalanine and citric acid, as novel, eco-friendly corrosion inhibitors for maraging steel in 1.0 M hydrochloric acid. Electrochemical techniques, including Tafel polarization and EIS, were used to evaluate the inhibition performance at various FCND concentrations and temperatures. The results clearly show an increase in the inhibition efficiency with increasing FCND dosage, although elevated temperatures and acid strengths reduce the effectiveness. Adsorption studies confirmed a Langmuir-type behavior governed mainly by physisorption. This study not only introduces carbon nanodots as a promising class of green corrosion inhibitors but also establishes their potential applicability in protecting high-strength maraging steel components exposed to acidic industrial environments.