Preparation of mosquito repellent, antibacterial and UV protective cotton using a novel, chitosan-based polymeric dye

With the increasing population of mosquitoes due to urbanisation, requirement for effective mosquito repellent gadgets is rising. To guarantee the security from mosquitoes, dire need is felt to build productive innovations. In the current work, a carbohydrate-based textile fibre was functionalised for imparting colour, mosquito repellency, antibacterial activity and UV protection using a novel polymeric dye. Mosquito repellent 4-amino N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET-NH₂) was diazotised and reacted with chitosan for the in-situ preparation of azo polymeric dye. The separately prepared polymeric dye was characterised using FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) analysis. In-situ dyed fabric was thoroughly characterised and evaluated for colouration, mechanical and functional properties. The dyed cotton showed an outstanding mosquito repellency (100%) with good durability. Moreover, antibacterial activity (>78%) and UV protection (good to very good) were also displayed by the dyed cotton. An innovative technique to develop multifunctional carbohydrate-based fibre is developed.