Synthesis and performance study of a new surfactant with corrosion inhibition function

Abstract

In view of the simultaneous demand for surfactants and corrosion inhibitors in oilfield production, new surfactants with both low interfacial tension and corrosion inhibition function were successfully prepared in this work by amidation and carboxymethylation using fatty acids and amines as raw materials. The interfacial tension of the surfactant was investigated using a rotational interfacial tensiometer, and the critical micelle concentration was determined. The corrosion inhibition properties of the dual-functional agents were measured by weight loss experiments, electrochemical tests, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the prepared surfactants exhibited interfacial tension as low as 10−2 mN m−1. The dual-functional surfactants possessed both low interfacial tension and promising corrosion inhibition effects. Electrochemical tests and SEM analysis showed that an adsorption layer preventing corrosion was formed on the surface of A3 steel. The adsorption of the dual-functional surfactants followed the Langmuir isotherm. The experimental data were also supported by quantum calculations.