FT NIR Raman studies of alginic acid–benzimidazole polymer composite

New bio-inspired polymer composites of alginic acid and benzimidazole were created and characterized by FT NIR Raman spectroscopy. The obtained films with 1:0.5, 1:1 and 1:1.5 molar ratio are homogeneous, with good mechanical properties. Raman spectra recorded at room temperature revealed that the obtained films are a new compound with a different molecular structure and physical properties compared with pure substrates: alginic acid and benzimidazole. Raman band related to vibration of COOH entity at 1740 cm−1 of alginic acid disappears in the alginic acid:benzimidazole composites, in which new Raman band related to COO− was found. Additionally, characteristic lines observed in polymer composites which may be associated with vibrations of NH groups, can be attributed to the linking of proton to deprotonated N atom in benzimidazole group. Possibility of such proton exchange is a promising property which might facilitate the application of obtained composites to anhydrous proton conducting electrolytes in fuel cells.