﻿README – RAW SEM Dataset

This readme file was generated on 2026-03-30 by Rajat Sharma


GENERAL INFORMATION

Title of Dataset: Raw Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) Images of Epoxy Blends Used for Bicontinuous Structural Electrolytes


Author/Principal Investigator Information
Name: Rajat Sharma
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1344-1027
Institution: Department of Engineering, Durham University
Address: South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
Email: rajat.sharma@durham.ac.uk

Author/Principal Investigator Information
Name: Natasha Shirshova
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0546-6278
Institution: Department of Engineering, Durham University
Address: South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
Email: natasha.shirshova@durham.ac.uk


Date of data collection: 2023-11-08 to 2025-05-15  

Geographic location of data collection: GJ Russell Microscopy Facility, Department of Physics, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, United Kingdom

Information about funding sources that supported the collection of the data: EPSRC under Realising Structural Power Project (EP/W035219/1 and EP/W035219/1) 


SHARING/ACCESS INFORMATION

Licenses/restrictions placed on the data: CC-BY

Links to publications that cite or use the data: Dataset associated with the article: Epoxy blends as a base for bicontinuous structural electrolytes. (Not submitted yet)

Links to other publicly accessible locations of the data: \\microscope.dur.ac.uk\sigma

Links/relationships to ancillary data sets: Related datasets may include processed SEM images, electrochemical testing data, or neutron scattering data used in the associated publication.

Was data derived from another source? No
If yes, list source(s): 

Recommended citation for this dataset: Sharma, R., & Shirshova, N. (2026):  Epoxy blends as a base for bicontinuous structural electrolytes.  Durham University.  (image).  DOI:  http://doi.org/10.15128/r1707957791


DATA & FILE OVERVIEW

File List: DGEBA_IL40 (Unmodified structural electrolyte (SE)) containing 40 vol% IL; CAG_DGEBA_IL40_10 µm and CAG_DGEBA_IL40_100 µm (Unmodified SE with CAG modified carbon fibres at 10 µm and 100 µm); GEDGP_1%_IL40, GEDGP_2.5%_IL40, GEDGP_10%_IL40 and GEDGP_50%_IL40 (modified DGEBA_IL40 based SE with GEDGP at different wt% additions); CAG_GEDGP_2.5%_IL40_10 µm and CAG_GEDGP_2.5%_IL40_100 µm (2.5 wt% GEDGP modified DGEBA_IL40 based SE with CAG modified carbon fibres at 10 µm and 100 µm);TGEMDA_1%_IL40, TGEMDA_2.5%_IL40, TGEMDA_10%_IL40 and TGEMDA_50%_IL40 (modified DGEBA_IL40 based SE with TGEMDA at different wt% additions); CAG_TGEMDA_2.5%_IL40_10 µm and CAG_TGEMDA_2.5%_IL40_100 µm (2.5 wt% TGEMDA modified DGEBA_IL40 based SE with CAG modified carbon fibres at 10 µm and 100 µm); TGETMP_1%_IL40, TGETMP_2.5%_IL40, TGETMP_10%_IL40 and TGETMP_50%_IL40 (modified DGEBA_IL40 based SE with TGETMP at different wt% additions); CAG_TGETMP_2.5%_IL40_10 µm and CAG_TGETMP_2.5%_IL40_100 µm (2.5 wt% TGETMP modified DGEBA_IL40 based SE with CAG modified carbon fibres at 10 µm and 100 µm); TGETHP_1%_IL40, TGETHP_2.5%_IL40, TGETHP_10%_IL40 and TGETHP_50%_IL40 (modified DGEBA_IL40 based SE with TGETHP at different wt% additions); CAG_TGETHP_2.5%_IL40_10 µm, CAG_TGETHP_2.5%_IL40_100 µm, CAG_TGETHP_50%_IL40_10 µm, CAG_TGETHP_50%_IL40_100 µm (2.5 wt% and 50 wt% TGETHP modified DGEBA_IL40 based SE with CAG modified carbon fibres at 10 µm and 100 µm);

Relationship between files, if important: Each epoxy blend has 40 vol% IL (EMIM-TFSI) in them and the curing condition used is also same; 18 h RT followed by 60 °C 1 h, 80 °C 2 h, 120 °C 2 h (2 °C /min).

Additional related data collected that was not included in the current data package: Image analysis results, Mechanical or electrochemical testing data and Neutron scattering measurements

Are there multiple versions of the dataset? No
If yes, name of file(s) that was updated: 
Why was the file updated? 
When was the file updated? 


METHODOLOGICAL INFORMATION

Description of methods used for collection/generation of data: Samples of epoxy blends were prepared and cured according to the procedures described in the associated publication (Q. Wendong et al., Multifunct. Mater., 2021, 4, 035003). Fractured surfaces were examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to observe microstructural morphology.Freshly fractured samples were mounted on aluminium pin stubs with conductive carbon stickers and copper tape, sputter-coated with ~15 nm platinum.

Methods for processing the data: Images provided in this dataset are raw or minimally processed SEM micrographs exported directly from the microscope software. 

Instrument- or software-specific information needed to interpret the data: FEI Helios Nanolab 600 Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) at accelerating voltages of 5–10 kV

Standards and calibration information, if appropriate: Instrument calibration was performed according to the manufacturer's standard procedures prior to imaging.

Environmental/experimental conditions: SEM imaging conducted under high vacuum conditions at room temperature.

Describe any quality-assurance procedures performed on the data: Images were inspected to ensure correct focus, magnification calibration, and absence of imaging artefacts.

People involved with sample collection, processing, analysis and/or submission: Rajat Sharma


DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR: RAW SEM Dataset

Number of variables: Not applicable (image data)

Number of cases/rows: Not applicable

Variable List: Magnification, Accelerating voltage, Working distance, Detector type, Pixel resolution and Scale bar

Missing data codes: None

Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: DGEBA = Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether, IL = 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide (EMIM-TFSI), TGETMP = trimethylolpropane triglycidyl ether, GEDGP = 4-(diglycidylamino)phenyl glycidyl ether, TGETHP = tris(4-hydroxyphenyl)methane triglycidyl ether, TGEMDA = tetraglycidyl-4,4′-methylenedianiline  and CAG = carbon aerogel modified carbon fibre (CF-CAG)
