Experimental and theoretical studies of Schiff bases as corrosion inhibitors.

Background: Relatively inexpensive, stable Schiff bases, namely 3-((4-hydroxybenzylidene)amino)-2-methylquinazolin-4(3H)-one (BZ3) and 3-((4-(dimethylamino)benzylidene)amino)-2-methylquinazolin-4(3H)-one (BZ4), were employed as highly efficient inhibitors of mild steel corrosion by corrosive acid.

Findings: The inhibition efficiencies were estimated based on weight loss method. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy was used to investigate the inhibition mechanism.