Corrosion Inhibition Potential of Bambusa vulgaris Leaves Extract on Mild Steel in H₂SO₄ Solution

Corrosion of mild steel in acidic environments is a major concern in industrial applications, creating a need for effective and environmentally compatible corrosion inhibitors. This study investigated the corrosion inhibition potential of ethanolic Bambusa vulgaris leaves extract on mild steel in 1.0 M H2SO4. Mild steel coupons were subjected to weight-loss measurements at varying extract concentrations (0.2–1.0 g/L) and temperatures of 303–333 K. Inhibition efficiency and corrosion rate were determined from the weight-loss data, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine surface morphology and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) was employed to determine dissolved iron concentrations. At 303 K, inhibition efficiency increased from 71.33% at 0.2 g/L to 84.00% at 1.0 g/L, while the corrosion rate decreased from 8.0 × 10−4 g h−1 cm−2 for the blank to 1.3 × 10−4 g h−1 cm−2 at 1.0 g/L extract. Increasing temperature reduced inhibition efficiency and increased corrosion rate across the investigated concentrations. SEM revealed comparatively smoother surfaces in the presence of the extract, while dissolved Fe decreased from 11.37 ppm in the blank to 9.97 ppm at 1.0 g/L extract. The results indicate that B. vulgaris leaves extract inhibits mild steel corrosion through adsorption of its constituents at the metal–solution interface, forming a protective layer that reduces metal dissolution. The extract therefore demonstrates potential as a plant-derived corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in acidic media.