Repositori URV

Identifier: TDX:773

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TDX773

Authors:
Comas Lou, Enric

Abstract:
Analytical measurements and the instruments that generate them can be classified regarding the number of data that are obtained when a sample is measured. When a matrix of response is obtained, it is known as second-order data.In this thesis, second-order data were used, obtained from a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) couple with a diode array detector (DAD). This instrument is quite common in the analytical laboratories. However, the concentration of the analytes of interest is normally found without using all the measured data. The spectral model only is used to identify the analytes of for verifying the peak purity, whereas the area or the height of the peak is used to quantify using univariate calibration. This is a very useful strategy. However, the measured response must be selective to the analyte of interest.When environmental pollutants were analyzed, like water samples, it is no so easy to get selective measurements. When the responses are not selective, the analyte on interest can still be quantified by using second-order calibration methods, which are the methods that use second-order data.This thesis is based on the study of the properties of the second-order calibration method Generalized Rank Annihilation Method (GRAM).This method was developed in the mid eighties and has very attractive properties:1) To determine the concentration of the analyte of interest in a test sample, it is only necessary one calibration sample or standard.2) Selective measurements are not necessary, implying the reduce of the separation time.Despite these advantages, GRAM has some limitations which make that it is not applied routinely. The objectives of the thesis are to study the advantages and limitations of GRAM and improve the negative points in order to apply