Single-step calibration, prediction and real samples data acquisition for artificial neural network using a CCD camera

An artificial neural network (ANN) model is developed for simultaneous determination of Al(III) and Fe(III) in alloys by using chrome azurol S (CAS) as the chromogenic reagent and CCD camera as the detection system. All calibration, prediction and real samples data were obtained by taking a single image. Experimental conditions were established to reduce interferences and increase sensitivity and selectivity in the analysis of Al(III) and Fe(III). In this way, an artificial neural network consisting of three layers of nodes was trained by applying a back-propagation learning rule. Sigmoid transfer functions were used in the hidden and output layers to facilitate nonlinear calibration. Both Al(III) and Fe(III) can be determined in the concentration range of 0.25-4 mug ml(-1) with satisfactory accuracy and precision. The proposed method was also applied satisfactorily to the determination of considered metal ions in two synthetic alloys. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.