Surfactants in electrochemical applications: A review

Surfactants have been commonly used as corrosion inhibitors to protect metallic materials against corrosion. Also used as additives for electropolishing baths to improve surface texture. The amphiphilic nature of surfactant molecules creates an affinity for adsorption at interfaces such as metal/metal oxide–water interface. The adsorption of surfactants on metals and metal oxides creates a barrier that can inhibit corrosion. The surfactant's properties and the surfactant's interaction with metal or metal oxide and the surrounding solution environments determine the level of adsorption and corrosion inhibition.