In-depth insights of inhibitory behaviour of 2-amino-4-methylthiazole towards galvanised steel in neutral NaCl solution

Inhibitory behaviour of 2-amino-4-methyl-thiazole (2AT-Me) towards electro-galvanised steel (ZE) was investigated in neutral NaCl solution by electrochemical and surface analyses. It revealed that 2AT-Me acts as a mixed-type inhibitor with pronounced inhibition efficiency above 90% at a concentration of 15 mM. The adsorption behaviour of 2AT-Me upon ZE surface aligns with the Temkin adsorption isotherm. Moreover, surface studies illustrated that the formed protective film exhibits a multi-layered spatial structure comprising of passive oxides and inhibitor layers. The findings show promises for deploying small thiazole-based compounds in corrosion inhibition of ZE and zinc surfaces.