What absorbs at 1528 cm⁻¹ in an FTIR spectrum?

Quick answer

A band near 1528 cm⁻¹ is usually interpreted by checking which functional groups repeatedly co-occur there in the literature, then confirming at least one or two additional peaks in the same sample. This page ranks those assignments by accumulated evidence rather than by a single fixed textbook rule.

Possible functional-group assignments

Ranking reflects accumulated literature evidence, not a single fixed rule. Always confirm against your sample context.

Possible materials

Materials are shown only when the same literature pool supports this band and at least one additional characteristic peak.

Spectrum logic

This band becomes meaningful only when read with its neighboring peaks. In practice, analysts first look at the assignments above, then check whether the same sample also shows other peaks expected for the same structural motif. A lone band near 1528 cm⁻¹ is usually not enough for material identification by itself.

Real-world usage

This type of query is common in polymer identification, unknown plastic screening, QC troubleshooting, recycled-material verification, and literature-backed peak assignment review.

Common mistakes

• Treating one isolated band as proof of a material without checking at least one or two supporting peaks.
• Ignoring overlap: multiple functional groups can contribute near the same wavenumber.
• Skipping validation when additives, blends, oxidation, or contamination may distort the spectrum.

Verification advice

When ambiguity remains, validate the hypothesis with DSC, GC-MS, or TGA, especially for blends, degraded samples, and filled polymers.

Literature behind these assignments

• confidence 1.0

  “ZnO bond as observed by the N-H stretching zones at approximately 1528 and 3380 cm-1.”

  Structural, Physical, and Mechanical Analysis of ZnO and TiO2 Nanoparticle-Reinforced Self-Adhesive Coating Restorative Material DOI: 10.3390/ma14247507
• Carboxyl (COOH) confidence 1.0

  “cm-1 group appeared at 1628 The medium band at 1528 was corresponded to cm-1 carboxylate salt ions.”

  Salem 等 - 2019 - Synthesis of compounds having antimicrobial activi DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2019.03.013
• Alkene (C=C) confidence 1.0

  “Explicit assignment: '1528' as part of C=C”

  Shi 等 - 2006 - The investigation of argon plasma surface modifica DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2006.01.007
• Hydroxyl (O-H) confidence 1.0

  “1527cm-1 assigned to hydroxyl (-OH) groups before adsorption, and The amide (-NH) peak observed at 1528cm-1,”

  Thabede 等 - 2021 - Magnetite Functionalized Nigella Sativa Seeds for DOI: 10.1155/2021/6655227
• C c single bond confidence 1.0

  “at 1528 and stretching of phenol were A C=C C-O BNL”

  Ismail 和 Hanafiah - 2020 - Kinetic, Isotherm, and Possible Mechanism of Pb(II DOI: 10.17576/jsm-2020-4907-11
• Acetate confidence 1.0

  “particle agglomeration was also noted at higher temperatures (i.e., 50 °C, Figure S1c) cm-1), cm-1) amide II (1528 and C-O-C stretch (1073 which are the major characteristics of which may be attributed to the susceptibility of Lf molecules”

  Encapsulation of Lactoferrin for Sustained Release Using Particles from Gas-Saturated Solutions DOI: 10.3390/pr9010073
• Amino acid confidence 1.0

  “cm-1 around 3300 due to NH stretching, the band at 1632 cm-1 C5O of the amide I region due to stretching, the cm-1 band at 1528 attributed to tyrosine amino acid cm-1of residues, the band at 1445 the amide II region attributed to NH bending”

  Popescu 等 - 2011 - Processing and immobilization of enzyme Ribonuclea DOI: 10.1557/jmr.2010.55
• Amide confidence 1.0

  “Prominent bands in protein spectra are the amide I (n C=O stretching mode) at cm-1and cm-1 1634 amide II (bending vibrations from C-N mode) at 1528 typical of”

  FTIR reflectance spectroscopy as analytical method to study residues on stone tools: potential and challenges DOI: 10.1021/ac203375.