A novel class of cationic Gemini surfactants C16 – 2A – C16 (where C16 represents the alkyl chain length of 16)
synthesized and characterized by FT – IR, H1 NMR. Gemini surfactants aggregation behavior (determine critical micelles
concentration CMC) were investigated by mean of electrical conductivity and obtained the surface tension at CMC point.
It was found that C16 – 2A – C16 has superior surface activity. Cationic Gemini surfactant was evaluated as corrosion
inhibitors for carbon steel in 1M HCl using weight loss, EIS and potentiodynamic polarization measurements. These
measurements revealed that the synthesized material has served as effective mixed-type corrosion inhibitors. Their
adsorption on a carbon steel surface was well described by means of the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The activation
parameters for the dissolution of carbon steel in solutions of 1M HCl in the absence and presence of these inhibitor were
calculated. The effect of immersion time on the stability and durability of protective films adsorbed on a carbon steel
surface was studied using weight loss method.