If used correctly, remains of cigarettes can fight corrosion

It’s uncommon for research to emerge that instantly connects to everyday people while also challenging conventional wisdom. A new study in ACS’ bi-weekly Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research has a surprising use for cigarette butts: they could prevent steel corrosion that costs oil producers millions of dollars each year.

The find touches on both green chemistry and industrial chemistry applications. Toxins from the remains of cigarettes not only kill fish (previous studies have shown the toxic substances in one cigarette butt can kill half of the fish in a single liter of water every 96 hours), they also litter parks, waterways, nature trails and other precious landmarks. One estimate says as many as 4.5 trillion cigarette butts pollute the environment each year.

Recycling spent cigarettes can clean up cities, but it’s also a lucrative concept. Led by Jun Zhao, Ph.D., of Xi’an Jiaotong University, the scientists showed that extracts of cigarette butts in water could protect steel from rusting even under harsh conditions.

They identified nine chemicals in the extracts, including nicotine, which appear to be responsible for this anti-corrosion effect. The chemicals could prevent costly damage and interruptions in oil production.

Image courtesy of iStock.