POLYSOLVAT 16 at JCNS, Workshop 2026

Deuterium labelling is a very powerful tool for neutron scattering techniques, especially on soft matter. The ability to utilize selective contrast variation in order to highlight specific areas within a material or mixture is one of the main benefits of neutron scattering over the corresponding x-ray techniques. This contribution gives a brief introduction in deuteration procedures by H/D exchange and highlights important material classes like surfactants, monomers, polymers and small organic molecules, which are used for example as solvents and ligands. In addition, for polymers, procedures are outlined which allow the synthesis of precisely defined model compounds.