READ ME File For 'Dataset title'

Dataset DOI: 10.5258/SOTON/D3449

ReadMe Author: Lijia Yi, University of Southampton ORCID ID https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8459-3596

This dataset supports the thesis entitled 
AWARDED BY: Univeristy of Southampton
DATE OF AWARD: 2025

DESCRIPTION OF THE DATA
[This should include a detailed description of the data, how it was collected/created, any specialist software needed to view the data]

This dataset contains:

Hull Cell and Boric Acid Studies (220110)

Electrochemical tests conducted using a Hull cell to evaluate the influence of boric acid on coating deposition and morphology.

Parameters such as current density, bath composition, and plating conditions were systematically varied.

Anode Material Comparisons (220701, 221118)

Experiments comparing Aluminum (Al), Zinc (Zn), and Mild Steel (MS) anodes in electroplating processes.

Data includes performance metrics (e.g., deposition efficiency, coating uniformity) and material degradation analyses.

EDS and SEM-EIS Analyses

Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS): Elemental composition mapping of coatings to assess alloy homogeneity and impurity distribution.

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM): High-resolution imaging of coating morphologies (e.g., grain size, porosity).

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS): Corrosion behavior and interfacial properties of coatings under varying conditions.

Saccharin Effect Studies

Investigations into the role of saccharin as a grain refiner and brightener in Zn and Ni electrodeposition.

Data includes coating properties (hardness, roughness) at different saccharin concentrations.

X-ray Diffraction (XRD) Results

Phase identification and crystallographic analysis of coatings, including Zn-Ni alloys and Sn interlayers.

Diffraction patterns and Rietveld refinement data to quantify phase fractions and residual stresses.

Zn-Ni Coatings with Sn Interlayer

Adhesion, corrosion resistance, and microstructural data for multilayer coatings.

Data Collection Methods
Electrochemical Experiments: Potentiostats/galvanostats Autolab with custom cell setups.

Microscopy and Spectroscopy: SEM  coupled with EDS detectors; XRD Rigaku.

Electrochemical Testing: Standard three-electrode cells for EIS and polarization tests.

Specialist Software
SEM/EDS Analysis: Oxford Instruments AZtec or ImageJ for elemental mapping.

XRD Processing: DIFFRAC.EVA or MAUD for phase analysis.

Electrochemical Data: ZView for EIS fitting; OriginLab/Matlab for plotting.

File Organization
Raw data (e.g., .txt, .csv), processed results (e.g., .xlsx), and images (e.g., .tif, .jpg) are stored in dated folders (e.g., 220110_HULL_CELL).

Metadata includes timestamps (4/4/2025) and experimental tags (e.g., "TE 77" for specific test conditions).


Date of data collection: Year 2021 - 2025

Information about geographic location of data collection: 

Licence: CC-BY-NC


Related projects/Funders:[N/A]


Related publication: [Yi, L.; Wang, S.; Wood, R.J.K. Controlled Compositions in Zn–Ni Coatings by Anode Material Selection for Replacing Cadmium. Coatings 2024, 14, 1119. https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14091119]



Date that the file was created: April, 2025