Impact of H/D isotopic effects on the physical properties of materials

Abstract

H/D isotope substitution deepens our understanding of molecular interactions, hydrogen bond characteristics, and quantum effects, while also advancing the design of advanced materials, biological research, and energy applications, thereby having a profound impact in interdisciplinary fields. In materials science, deuteration can influence the structure and physical properties of hydrogen-containing solids. A notable example is the discovery in 1942 that deuteration on the strong hydrogen-bonded ferroelectric potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) increases the Curie temperature (T_c) by approximately 107 K, attributed to the geometric isotope effects (GIE) induced by deuteration on hydrogen bonds. Additionally, deuteration can introduce chemical pressure within the lattice, influencing the magnetic and conductive properties of solid materials. Moreover, due to their lower vibrational modes, D atoms can reduce non-radiative transitions, thereby enhancing the optical physical properties of materials. This highlights deuteration as a viable chemical strategy for modulating the physical properties of materials. This review aims to provide a concise overview of the effects of H/D isotope substitution on material structures and physical properties, offering new insights into the regulation of material properties through recent advancements in deuteration.