Corrosion inhibitors are substances that reduce or eliminate the corrosion of a metal in a certain environment. Corrosion inhibitors act by several mechanisms, including adsorption, film formation, passivation, and oxygen scavenging. Due to their toxicity, classic corrosion inhibitors affect the environment. Therefore, in recent years, more and more studies have focused on the development of eco-friendly inhibitors for the environment. In this study, ethanolic extract of Galium verum (GV) was tested for the inhibition of steel corrosion in 1 M HCl medium using electrochemical methods: open circuit potential (OCP), potentiodynamic polarization (PP), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Reverse-phase liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (MS-GC) previous studies state that GV extract contains polyphenols and other chemical species responsible for the inhibitory effect. Corrosion investigations have highlighted the influence of the concentration of the GV extract, in the range of 50 ÷ 400 ppm G.A.E./mL, as well as the influence of temperature in the range of 20 ÷ 50 °C. The corrosion inhibitory efficiency of the Galium verum ethanolic extract had a maximum value of 91.82% for a concentration of 400 ppm polyphenol content, demonstrating the inhibitory potential of this green product in an acidic environment for mild steel. Statistical calculus on the obtained values of EIS inhibitor efficiency showed that the effect of the extract becomes stronger at higher concentrations.

The utilization of geothermal resources as renewable energy is a subject of interest for the regions that possess these resources. The exploitation of geothermal energy must consider local geological conditions and an integrated approach, which should include practical studies on the chemistry of geothermal waters and their effect on thermal installations. Geothermal waters from Bihor County, Romania, have a variable composition, depending on the crossed geological layers, but also on pressure and temperature. Obviously, water transport and heat transfer are involved in all applications of geothermal waters. This article aims to characterize certain geothermal waters from the point of view of composition and corrosion if used as a thermal agent. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and UV–Vis spectroscopy were employed to analyze water specimens. Chemical composition includes calcite (CaCO₃), chalcedony (SiO₂), goethite (FeO(OH)), and magnetite (Fe₃O₄), which confirms the corrosion and scale potential of these waters. Corrosion resistance of mild carbon steel, commonly used as pipe material, was studied by the gravimetric method and through electrochemical methodologies, including chronoamperometry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), potentiodynamic polarization method, and open circuit potential measurement (OCP). Statistical analysis shows that the medium corrosion rate of S235 steel, expressed as penetration rate, is between 0.136 mm/year to 0.615 mm/year. The OCP, EIS, and chronoamperometry experiments explain corrosion resistance through the formation of a passive layer on the surface of the metal. This study proposes an innovative methodology and a systematic algorithm for analyzing chemical processes and corrosion phenomena in geothermal installations, emphasizing the necessity of individualized assessments for each aquifer to optimize operational parameters and ensure sustainable resource utilization.