In-situ photochemical synthesis of Au nanoparticles in polymer matrix with one-component thioxanthone disulfide for detection of benzene, toluene and xylene vapours

[Display omitted] •Dithioxanthone-disulfide was prepared as a new photoinitiator.•Thiyl radical formation was determined after photolysis of initiator.•Thiyl radicals helped for formation and stabilization of Au NPs.•In-situ formation of Au NPs in polymer matrix was achieved in one pot reaction.•Prepared nanocomposite films were used for BTX gas sensing and valuable results obtained for gas detection. Thioxanthonation of diphenyl units of diphenyl disulfide was achieved successfully. The photoreduction and photostabilization ability of 2, 2′-disulfanediylbis (9H-thioxanthen-9-one) was used for in-situ preparation of Au nanoparticles either in solution or in poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate / poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate polymer matrix. SPR(Surface Plasmon Resonance) absorption band of formed Au NPs were recorded at 550 nm by UV–vis spectroscopy. Indeed, formation of elliptical shaped nanoparticles (4–8 μm) as well as spherical ones (11–14 nm) in nanocomposite films were obtained depending on UV irradiation time. DLS (Dynamic Light Scattering) measurements also changed from 440 nm to about 200 nm as a function of irradiation time. The potential of Au NPs/ polymer nanocomposite film as a sensing element for benzene, toluene, xylene (BTX) sensing was studied at different temperatures. An overall evaluation of the experimental results showed that Au NPs/ polymer nanocomposite film has good potential as a sensing element for the detection of BTX vapours.