What absorbs at 2023 cm⁻¹ in an FTIR spectrum?
A band near 2023 cm⁻¹ can point to several functional groups. Below are the most likely assignments, ranked by how much published evidence supports each — every one traceable to literature (DOI) and cross-validated against our 130,000+ reference spectra and knowledge graph.
Backed by 8 cited sources
Quick answer
A band near 2023 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
| Functional group | Supporting facts | Cited sources | Top confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydroxyl (O-H) | 7 | 6 | 1.0 |
| Methacrylate | 6 | 6 | 1.0 |
| Acetate | 6 | 6 | 1.0 |
| C-O single bond | 6 | 5 | 1.0 |
| Methoxy (OCH3) | 5 | 5 | 1.0 |
| Alkyl C-H | 5 | 5 | 1.0 |
| Silicon-oxygen (Si-O) | 4 | 4 | 1.0 |
| Secondary amine | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Amide | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Carboxyl (COOH) | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Water (H2O) | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| C c single bond | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Siloxane (Si-O-Si) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| C n single bond | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Ketone | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Ester | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Carbonyl (C=O) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Carbon dioxide | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| N-O bond | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Silicon carbon | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| N h | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Methyl | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Hydrogen bond | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Silicon (Si) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
Ranking reflects accumulated literature evidence, not a single fixed rule. Always confirm against your sample context.
Possible materials
| Material | Supporting peaks | Overlapping groups | Cited sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| montmorillonite | 2023, 1637, 523 | Hydroxyl (O-H), Methacrylate, Acetate | 1 |
| nanocomposites | 2023, 1717, 1630 | Hydroxyl (O-H), C-O single bond, Methacrylate | 1 |
| microplastics | 2023, 1643, 1614 | Hydroxyl (O-H), Methacrylate, Acetate | 1 |
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 2023 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
-
Silicon (Si) confidence 1.0
“At 988 there is a band in the Coatings 2023, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 6 of 17 nanocomposite and the pure clay spectra due to the Si-O stretching.”
Caliman 等 - 2023 - Gellan Gum-Montmorillonite Nanocomposites for Elec DOI: 10.3390/coatings13020350 -
Hydroxyl (O-H) confidence 1.0
“The first evident difference in the IR spectra of artificial weathered PE, PP, and PS compared to the raw materials is the alteration of the region relative to the OH stretching Polymers 2023, 15, x FOR PEER REVIEW 5 of 16 Polymers 2023, 15”
Campanale 等 - 2023 - Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy to Assess DOI: 10.3390/polym15040911 -
Alkyl C-H confidence 1.0
“Strong primary OH stretching can be seen in peaks measuring 3342 cm-1, while C-H stretching in methyl and methylene groups can be seen in peaks Forests2023,14,569 7of12 measuring 2800 to 3000 cm-1.”
Can 等 - 2023 - Choline Chloride-Based Deep Eutectic Solvent-Treat DOI: 10.3390/f14030569 -
confidence 1.0
“UV-Vis Spectroscopy The UV-Vis spectrograph of calcium oxide nanoparticles showed an absorbance peak Materials 2023, 16, x FOR PEER REVIEW 9 of 21”
Biosynthesis and Characterization of Calcium Oxide Nanoparticles from Citrullus colocynthis Fruit Extracts; Their Biocompatibility and Bioactivities DOI: 10.3390/ma16072768 -
Hydrogen bond confidence 1.0
“The NT fiber revealed a strong cm-1, hydrogen bond at 3340 indicating the presence of hydroxyl (OH) stretching absorpCoatings2023,13,1036 7of18 cm-1 tion.”
Effects of Wet and Dry Treatments on Surface Functional Groups and Mechanical Properties of Flax Fiber Composites DOI: 10.3390/coatings13061036 -
Hydroxyl (O-H) confidence 1.0
“The strong, broad peaks occurring at 3283.18 in the leaf spectra cm-1 and at 3318.91 in the stem spectra corresponded to the O-H (stretching) functional Plants2023,12,1702”
Phytochemical Composition of Combretum molle (R. Br. ex G. Don.) Engl. & Diels Leaf and Stem Extracts DOI: 10.3390/plants12081702 -
confidence 1.0
“(2021) managed to generate maximum PD peaks Sustainability2023,15,7316”
Impact of Dragon Fruit Waste in Microbial Fuel Cells to Generate Friendly Electric Energy DOI: 10.3390/su15097316 -
Alkyl C-H confidence 1.0
“10.3389/fevo.2023.1096099 cm-1 important sources of proteins (Ueda and Tanaka, 1994), but they The increases of C-H peaks at ~2930/2850 could come from could be rapidly destroyed by bacteria, fungi, oxidation and hydrolysis, hydrolytic degr”
Influence of common palynological extraction treatments on ultraviolet absorbing compounds (UACs) in sub-fossil pollen and spores observed in FTIR spectra DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2023.1096099
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