Structure and Properties of Polyamide Fabrics with Insect-Repellent Functionality by Electrospinning and Oxygen Plasma-Treated Surface Coating.

Chunhui Xiang,Margaret W Frey,Joel R Coats,Edmund J Norris,Nicholas R Etrick

doi:10.3390/polym12102196

Chunhui Xiang, Margaret W Frey + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12102196

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Abstract

The need for light-weight and high-strength insect-repellant fabrics is of critical importance to the cessation of viral diseases. The goal of the study is to investigate the structure and properties of insect-repellent polyamide fabrics for use in protective garments to guard against mosquitos. Permethrin was applied to the polyamide fabrics through incorporation into the nylon 6 polymer solution during electrospinning and dip coating onto the control untreated and oxygen plasma-treated polyamide fabrics: electropun nylon 6 nanofiber nonwovens, commercially available nylon 6 warp knit tricot, and nylon 66 double weft, knit interlock fabrics. The incorporation of permethrin into the polymer solution before the formation of fibers demonstrated the most efficient way to apply permethrin to the fiber/fabric systems. The plasma treatment significantly increased the amount of permethrin on the surface of the fabrics. All permethrin-containing polyamide fabrics showed excellent fastness of the insecticide to light. The electrospun nylon 6 nonwovens demonstrated the best fastness to washing among the plasma-treated electrospun nylon 6, nylon 66 double weft knit, and nylon 6 warp-knit tricot. All permethrin-treated fabrics were repellent and caused higher percentage of mosquito escape compared to the control untreated fabrics.

Highlights

The increasing temperatures across the globe have given rise to the spread of Zika and other insect-driven viruses by means of dissemination through mosquitoes [1]
Both K_N66 and T_N6 show uniform fiber diameter. These properties of the polyamide fabrics are significant, because the surface area-to-weight ratio is crucial for the application of insecticide to the surface of the fabrics
The high surface area of the electrospun nylon 6 favors the resulting “active” surface obtained after the plasma treatment

Summary

Introduction

The increasing temperatures across the globe have given rise to the spread of Zika and other insect-driven viruses by means of dissemination through mosquitoes [1]. This phenomenon is driving a market need for a product that is able to prevent insect bites, and reduce the effects of the spread of these insects. A major advance in the protection of high-risk personnel (e.g., outdoor workers, travelers, and soldiers) has been the development of topical repellent formulations and residual insecticides that can be impregnated into clothing, tents, and netting [3,4]. There exist numerous commercial products available on the market with the insecticide permethrin.

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