Development of Eco-friendly mosquito repellent printed textiles with synthesized Ocimum basilicum leaf dye extract

Abstract

Due to rapid urbanization, climate change and other factors, the ill effects of mosquito bites are growing day by day. The use of repellents such as lotions, coils and liquidators are limited in their efficacy due to various reasons. This has necessitated the development of mosquito repellent fabrics especially in eco-friendly ways as the consumers are moving towards environment friendly products. Eco friendly mosquito repellent fabrics protect the humans from the bite of mosquitoes and thereby promising safety of the environment. On the other hand, today, nanotechnology is advertently used for the development of protective textiles with multifunctional properties. The unique and new properties of nanomaterial have attracted not only scientists and researchers, but also business due to huge economic potential. Hence, the present research was undertaken to develop mosquito repellent printed textiles. The research paper presents the findings of pre-treated cotton fabric screen printed with natural dyes in combination of nanoparticles in two forms (pre calcinated and calcinated) and in two percentages (5% and 10% respectively) using alum as a mordant. The performance of treated fabrics for mosquito repellent efficacy, wash durability along with geometrical properties was assessed. The findings indicated 93 percent mosquito repellent efficacy with ten percent pre calcinated nanoparticles and further the efficacy reduced with increased wash cycles. A very slight change in the geometrical properties like fabric weight, thickness and count was also observed.