Comparison of two methods for the optimization of the analytical conditions for the determination of total sulfur

Response surface and simplex methods were used for optimizing the determination of total sulfur present in gaseous samples using a quartz crystal microbalance. The optimization methodology increased the analytical signal from three to five times. The simplex method showed the highest efficiency in the search for the maximum sensor response. However, the response surface allows ranking the variables according to their effects and highlights the existence of a plateau in the optimal region.