The inhibition effect and mechanism of a compound calcium lignosulfonate (CLS) and sodium molybdate inhibitors for Q235 carbon steel in simulated carbonated concrete pore solution (pH 11.5) with 0.02 mol/L NaCl are studied using electrochemical and surface analysis techniques. The results show that in carbonated simulated concrete pore (SCP) solution CLS and Na₂MoO₄ show a synergistic inhibition effect. The compound inhibitor can be defined as mix-type inhibitor. With 400 ppm CLS plus 600 ppm Na₂MoO₄, the pitting potential moves positively about 200 mV, and the inhibition efficiency reaches 92.67%. After 24 h immersion, the IE% further increases up to 99.2%. The surface analysis results show that Na₂MoO₄ could promote stability of the passive film, and the insoluble molybdenum compounds and CaO/Ca(OH)₂, together with adsorbed CLS, deposit on the steel surface, forming a complex film. The compounded film effectively inhibits corrosion of the steel.
Keywords: calcium lignosulfonate (CLS); carbon steel; carbonated concrete environment; corrosion experiments; inhibition; sodium molybdate; synergistic effect.