INVESTIGATION ON ANTI-CORROSIVE CONSEQUENCES OF LITSEA MONOPETALA (ROXB) PERS LEAF EXTRACT ON MILD STEEL IN SIMULATED INDUSTRIALLY POLLUTED CONCRETE ELECTROLYTE

Authors

  • Nootan Prasad Bhattarai Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur 44618, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Utshav Pokharel Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur 44618, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Rajanraj Thapa Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur 44618, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Kamal Thapa Kuwar Magar Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur 44618, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Yubraj Paudel Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur 44618, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Druba Babu Subedi Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur 44618, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Jagadeesh Bhattarai Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur 44618, Kathmandu, Nepal https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0058-079X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/jist.v31i1.92864

Keywords:

Concrete pore system, Corrosion-resistant efficacy, Litsea monopetala extract, Mixed inhibitor

Abstract

Outstanding compressive and tensile forces make reinforced concrete systems versatile and popular in construction and technology engineering. Preliminary corrosion damage of reinforcing mild steel (MS) in sulfate-polluted environments in industrial (IndE) areas is becoming a significant problem. This investigation examines for the first time the anti-corrosion efficiency and mechanisms of reinforced MS rebars in simulated concrete pore solution (SCPS, a mimic of the concrete matrix) with 500-2000 ppm leaf extract of Litsea monopetala (Roxb) Pers (LmL), which has a pH of around 12.5±0.5, providing insight into concrete corrosion preventive strategies. To assess the anti-corrosion efficiency and mechanisms of LmL on mild steel (MS) rebars, potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectrometry (EIS), and adsorption isotherm methods were utilized at 30 °C. This evaluation included LmL characterization techniques such as screening tests, UV-Vis spectrometry, FTIR, GC-MS spectrometry, and toxicity analysis. The results showed an anti-corrosion efficiency of 79.77% based on corrosion current (IEicorros) from Tafel plots, and 62.82% based on the Ipeak from CV (IEIpeak), and 97.63% based on the EIS method (IERct) at a concentration of 2000 ppm of LmL in SCPS under IndE (SCPS-IndE) at 30 °C. These findings suggest that 500-2000 ppm MaL significantly improved the corrosion-resistant behavior of MS in simulated concrete systems under sulfate-polluted industrial environments. The secondary metabolites in LmL, primarily flavonoids, alkaloids, and carboxylic and phenolic acids, inhibit both anodic and cathodic reactions, which enhances anti-corrosion properties by forming a passive layer on corroded MS surfaces.

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2026-07-01

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Bhattarai, N. P., Pokharel, U., Thapa, R., Kuwar Magar, K. T., Paudel, Y., Subedi, D. B., & Bhattarai, J. (2026). INVESTIGATION ON ANTI-CORROSIVE CONSEQUENCES OF LITSEA MONOPETALA (ROXB) PERS LEAF EXTRACT ON MILD STEEL IN SIMULATED INDUSTRIALLY POLLUTED CONCRETE ELECTROLYTE. Journal of Institute of Science and Technology, 31(1), 183–202. https://doi.org/10.3126/jist.v31i1.92864

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