The model water-soluble polymer poly(ethylene oxide) was used to investigate solvation characteristics in mixtures of d-water (deuterated water) and d-alcohols (deuterated alcohols). Three d-alcohols have been used: d-methanol, d-ethanol, and d-ethylene glycol. Small angle neutron scattering was used to monitor the solvation properties of poly(ethylene oxide) in the d-solvent mixtures. Nonideal solvent mixing was observed throughout. Solvent mixtures were found to be more effective solvating agents than individual solvents. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals,