Table 7: AFM data for carbon steel surface immersed in inhibited and uninhibited environment.

Samples RMS () roughness (nm) Average () roughness (nm) Maximum peak-to-valley height (nm) Polished carbon steel (Control) 4.33 3.41 35.28 Carbon steel immersed in sea water (blank) 17.10 13.58 92.28 Carbon steel immersed in sea water + HE (8 mL)  + Zn2+ 25 (ppm) 11.8 7.65 27.47