Regulating π-π interactions in carbon dots via N-doping & ionic liquid modification for enhanced efficiency in 1 M HCl

In this study, we developed ionic liquid-modified nitrogen-doped carbon dots (IL-NCDs) with enhanced π-π interactions, effectively addressing the aggregation issue of conventional carbon dots in strong acidic conditions. The synthesized IL-NCDs demonstrated superior dispersibility and long-term protective performance in 1 M HCl, achieving a corrosion inhibition efficiency of 97.34 % at 60 mg/L and maintaining protection for over 20 days. The optimized surface charge and increased active sites facilitated the formation of a dense protective film, offering an efficient and eco-friendly solution for metal corrosion protection in acidic environments, with significant potential for industrial applications.