Deuteration and Polymers: Rich History with Great Potential

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.0c02284
• Publication Date: 2021-03-20T12:00:42Z
• Authors: Lengwan Li; Jacek Jakowski; Changwoo Do; Kunlun Hong
• Keywords: Deuterium NMR

Deuterium, a stable hydrogen isotope, has been playing important roles in many scientific areas, including polymer science. The developments of deuteration science and have interwoven for the past 60 years. unique characteristics scattering lengths isotopes (protium deuterium) result dramatic differences length densities protiated deuterated compounds omnipresent polymers, rendering neutron powerful tool investigation polymeric structures dynamics that are inaccessible to other tools. While role materials can hardly be overstated, it also enabled addressing questions using approaches, such as NMR vibrational spectra. In this Perspective, we provide brief account deuterium synthesis, properties, application various polymers. We offer an outlook potentials ever-evolving exciting area.