The WHO estimates vector borne diseases to kill 700,000 people annually with mosquito transmitted malaria being responsible for over 70 % of those lives lost. Aerosol-type sprays or topical lotions still dominate outdoor insect protection; however, these liquids are limited by their short efficacy time due to evaporation. Imbedding insect repellents into a polymer matrix has shown to decrease their diffusion rate, thus giving potential for long-term insect-repellent textiles. In this study, bicomponent cellulose acetate-sheath and modacrylic/N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET)-core filaments were formed. This solution spinning process resulted in semi-hollow membrane filaments composed of a solid-sheath and gelled-core cross-sectional morphology, suitable for long-term release of DEET. Relationships between bicomponent fiber composition on DEET release rate, effective repellent lifetime, washfastness, and overall mechanical properties are discussed.

Bicomponent spinning of cellulose acetate-sheath and modacrylic/DEET-core filaments for extended mosquito protection

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