How can you identify polyethylene from FTIR?
This page summarizes the recurring FTIR evidence reported for polyethylene, including the most frequent peaks, supporting functional groups, and literature-backed interpretation patterns. It is a structured evidence page, not a claim of automatic single-spectrum certainty.
Backed by 67 cited sources
Quick answer
polyethylene is usually reported with a recurring pattern of peaks and functional-group evidence. The most useful approach is to cross-check at least two characteristic peaks before treating it as a match, then verify whether the full spectrum still fits the same material family.
Peak interpretation
Possible materials / groups
| Grupo funcional | Evidencia |
|---|---|
| Alkyl C-H | 109 |
| Methacrylate | 48 |
| Acetate | 47 |
| Hydroxyl (O-H) | 43 |
| Methoxy (OCH3) | 35 |
| C-O single bond | 31 |
| Aromatic ring | 26 |
| Carboxyl (COOH) | 26 |
Spectrum logic
The logic here is evidence aggregation: repeated literature mentions of polyethylene, repeated peak positions, and repeated functional-group associations. A strong material hypothesis should still be supported by multiple peaks that agree with each other, not by one headline band alone.
Real-world usage
This page is designed for polymer identification, incoming-material QC, unknown plastic analysis, recycled-content review, and literature-backed interpretation of reference spectra.
Common mistakes
- Calling a material match too early because one famous peak is present.
- Ignoring sample prep, fillers, oxidation, water, or additives that can change the apparent pattern.
- Using literature evidence without checking whether your own sampling mode and spectrum quality are comparable.
Verification advice
Use DSC, GC-MS, or TGA to validate the material hypothesis when the peak pattern is ambiguous or mixed.
Literature behind this page
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Shi 等 - 2006 - The investigation of argon plasma surface modifica DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2006.01.007 -
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Almond 等 - 2020 - Determination of the carbonyl index of polyethylen DOI: 10.1515/epoly-2020-0041 -
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Modification of surface characteristic and tribo-electric properties of polymers by DBD plasma in atmospheric air DOI: 10.1051/epjap/2017170149 -
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Fred-Ahmadu 等 - 2020 - Microplastics distribution and characterization in DOI: 10.1016/j.rsma.2020.101365 -
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FTIR study of ageing of gamma-irradiated biopharmaceutical EVA based film DOI: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2016.03.040 -
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Direct Polypropylene and Polyethylene Liquefaction in CO2 and N2 Atmospheres Using MgO Light and CaO as Catalysts DOI: 10.3390/ma15030844 -
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The Effect of PIB Molecular Weight on the Cling Characteristics of Polyethylene-PIB Films for Stretch and Cling Film Applications DOI: 10.1177/8756087905052805 -
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Mukbaniani 等 - 2018 - Composites containing bamboo with different binder DOI: 10.1515/pac-2017-0804 -
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Murphy 等 - 2022 - Assessment of microplastics in Irish river sedimen DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09853 -
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The occurrence of microplastic contamination in littoral sediments of the Persian Gulf, Iran DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-9587-z
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