Fabrication and characterization of deuteration‐rich polymer microsphere for high‐yield neutron source

A new type of deuterated polymer microspheres with a much higher deuterium/carbon (D/C) atom ratio was designed and fabricated to produce high‐yield thermonuclear neutrons. Supramolecular deuterated polycyclooctene (D‐PCOE) with ~1.7 D/C atom ratio was synthesized, which well meets the requirements including higher D/C atom ratio, good solubility for processability, and excellent mechanical properties. Monodispersed D‐PCOE microspheres including shells and beads are fabricated by a microfluidic technique. The properties of the D‐PCOE materials and corresponding microspheres are analyzed and compared with those of the deuterated polystyrene microspheres (~1 D/C atom ratio), which have been widely used in laser‐driven spherically convergent plasma fusion experiments. This work expands the category of deuterated polymeric materials and provides a new type of deuterated polymer microspheres in the forthcoming high‐yield neutron experiments. Highlights Supramolecular D‐PCOE with ~1.7 D/C atom ratio was successfully synthesized. Monodispersed D‐PCOE microspheres were successfully fabricated. The quality of D‐PCOE microspheres is also investigated.