Currently, zinc gluconate (ZnGL) frequently necessitates co-application with other corrosion inhibitors to attain optimal corrosion inhibition during the initial stages of the corrosion process.Hydroxyphosphonic acid (HPAA), an organic phosphonic acid endowed with carboxylic acid properties, efficiently boosts the solubility of zinc salts, facilitating excellent compatibility when blended with them.In this study, HPAA was selected as a representative organic phosphonic acid to investigate the potential synergistic effects of ZnGL and HPAA on corrosion inhibition through electrochem. experiments and mol. dynamics simulations.HPAA enhances the corrosion inhibition capabilities of ZnGL, leading to reduced weight loss and improved corrosion resistance.Specifically, when combined at concentrations of 20mg/L ZnGL and 100mg/L HPAA, the pipeline steel demonstrates an impressive corrosion inhibition efficiency of 93 %, with this performance further increasing at elevated temperaturesThe adsorption characteristics of this inhibitor align with the Langmuir isotherm, indicating the formation of a monolayer on the surface of the pipeline steel.To analyze the protective layer on the pipeline steel, SEM (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques were employed.The presence of various heteroatom-functionalized groups in ZnGL+HPAA was confirmed through Fourier Transform IR spectroscopy (FT-IR) using Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR), which independently forms complexes with iron.Mol. dynamics simulations indicated that ZnGL can interact with HPAA via donor-acceptor bonds at the carboxyl and phosphonic acid groups, facilitating the diffusion of ZnGL onto the surface of pipeline steel.Addnl., HPAA improves the adhesion of ZnGL to the pipeline steel surface, leading to the formation of a robust and dense protective film.This study introduces a novel strategy to bolster existing petroleum pipeline inhibitors, ultimately advancing research efforts to enhance the corrosion inhibition performance of oil pipelines.