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The inhibition action of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIM]BF(4)) ionic liquids towards carbon steel corrosion in alkaline chloride solution was investigated by electrochemical measurements. The morphology of the surface was examined by atomic force microscopy (AFM). and the surface composition was evaluated via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) as well in order to verify the presence of inhibitor on the carbon steel surface. The results showed that the compound effectively suppressed both cathodic and anodic processes of carbon steel corrosion in alkaline solution by multicenter adsorption on carbon steel surface according to Langmuir adsorption isotherm, and acted as a mixed type inhibitor. The inhibition mechanism was proposed based on the viewpoint of complex physic-chemical interactions between the cationic inhibitor molecule and the carbon steel surface. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.