Materials Sciences and Applications, 2011, 200-208
doi:10.4236/msa.2011.23025 Published Online March 2011 (http://www.scirp.org/journal/msa)
Development of Longer-Lasting Insect Repellence
Cellulosic Based Curtain Fabrics
Afaf Farag Shahba1*, Osama Halawa1, Mohamed Ragaei2, Mohamed Hashem3
1Department of Spinning, Weaving and Knitting Engineering, Faculty of Applied Arts, Helwan University, Helwan, Egypt;
2Department of Pests and Plant Protection, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt; 3Textile Division, National Research Centre,
Cairo, Egypt.
Received October 6th, 2010; revised February 9th, 2011; accepted F e b r u a ry 23rd, 2011.
ABSTRACT
Long lasting insect repellent curtain fabrics were developed and characterized. Different types of fabrics which are
generally used in manufacture of curtain fabrics were functionalized with monochlorotriazenyl β-cyclodextrin (MCT-
β-CD) then treated with different concentration from permethrin to impart the fabric insect repellent properties. These
fabrics were 100% cotton, cotton/viscose, cotton/linen, polyester/cotton, polyester/linen and polyester/viscose blend
fabrics. The treated curtain fabrics were evaluated for insect repellent retention capacity against mosquitoes. The re-
pellent efficacy comprises the determination of percent mosquitoes repelled, knockdown and killed (mortality) resulting
from exposed mosquitoes to the treated fabric. Results obtained shows that, the insect repellent retention capacity of
curtain fabrics functionalized with R-β-CD then treated with permethrin depends on the amount of β-CD moieties on
the curtain fabrics, type of fabric and permethrin concentration. Higher action is obtained when the fabric was func-
tionalized with 100 g/L, MCT-β-CD in alkaline medium followed by treatment with 15 g/L permethrin. The results show
also that, curtain fabric made of cotton/linen shows highest mosquitoes repellent retention capacity and highest resis-
tance against washing compared with 100% cotton or cotton/viscose or polyester based curtain fabrics. The insect re-
pellent treatment of curtain fabrics did not adversely affect the tensile strength or drapability index of curtain fabrics.
Keywords: Cotton, Curtain Fabrics, β-Cyclodextrin, Linen, Insect Repellent Fabric, Polyester, Viscose
1. Introduction
Among the increasing number of arthropod-borne dis-
eases, only few are preventable by vaccines. There is no
effective vaccine against Malaria, the only way to avoid
it remains avoiding mosquitos’ bites [1-4]. For this rea-
son, personal protective measures against biting arthro-
pods and arthro pod borne d iseases constitu te the first line
of defense. A major advance in the protection of high-
risk personnel (e.g. outdoor workers, travelers, and sol-
diers) is the development of insects repellent clothing,
tents, and netting.
Pyrethrum is a 100% natural and environment friendly
insecticide. Pyrethrum is derived from the dried flowers
of Chrysanthemum Cinerariaefolium. The name given to
the active insecticidal co mponents of the dried flowers is
“Pyrethrins”. The Pyrethrum flower provides a highly
effective protection against mosquitoes, carriers of killer
diseases such as malaria and yellow fever. The physio-
logical action of pyrethrins is to inhibit the mosquitoes
from biting and causes repellence, immobilisation, pa-
ralysis and death [5]. Although the extract of the plant
were already used as insecticide, the structure was first
published by Staudinger and Ruzicka [6]. Pyrethrins are
neurotoxins that attack the nervous systems of all insects.
When present in amounts not fatal to insects, they still
appear to have an insect repellent effect. Pyrethrins are
gradually replacing organophosphates and organochlo-
rides as the pesticide of first choice.
The pyrethrins are a pair of natural organic compounds
that have potent insecticidal activity. Pyrethrin I and
pyrethrin II are structurally related esters with a cyclo-
propane core. The chemical structure of pyrethrins is the
basis for a variety of synthetic insecticides called pyre-
throids such as bifenthrin, permethrin and cypermethrin
[7]. The chemical structure of permethrin is as follows:
Permethrin has the following outstanding properties
[7-9]:

Development of Longer-Lasting Insect Repellence Cellulosic Based Curtain Fabrics
201
Permethrin: 3-Phenoxybenzyl (1RS)-cis,trans-3-(2,2-dichlo-
rovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate.
1) Rapid Action,
2) Low Mammalian Toxicity (No other insecticide can
claim such a long record of proven safety towards hu-
mans and warm blooded animals,
3) Broad Spectrum of Activity;
4) Environment friendly: degraded by the combination
of sunlight and air.
Curtain fabrics are considered one of the most impor-
tant upholstery fabrics. Usually, curtain fabrics are used
to cover glass and ventilator windows to prevent (or re-
duce) direct sunlight and consequently reduce heat re-
sults thereof. In addition to this, curtains are also used to
impart aesthetic fashion. Generally, curtain fabrics are
divided into two types, heavy fabric (or opaque) and light
fabric (or semi-transparent). Cotton, polyester, linen and
their blends are frequently used in manufacture of curtain
fabrics.
Cyclodextrins compounds are novel environmentally
save complexing agents which are used to encapsulate
fragrances compounds [10-14]. These are crystalline
toxicologically harmless compound and having a circular,
conical conformation, where the height is about 7.8 Å
and the cavity’s inner diameter is between 4.7 and 8.3 Å
wide [10].
A fascinating property of the cyclodextrins is their
ability to incorporate other organic compounds into their
cavity, both in the solid state and in solution [10]. The
application of cyclodextrins to the textile industries has
become more interesting, for example in dye stabilization
[11-16], laser dyes [17], printing [17], colour-changing
compositions [11-14,18], long-lasting perfumed cotton
[14,19] and the new auxiliaries [11-14,19-21].
Entrepreneurs continue seeking new ideas which can
give them a competitive advantage. In textiles industry,
one approach is based on finishes which maximize the
added value and friendly with the environment. There-
fore, the aim of this work is to develop and characterize
curtain fabrics having long lasting insect repellent prop-
erties. In this regards, six different type of fabrics gener-
ally used in manufacture of curtain fabrics were selected.
These fabrics are 100% cotton, cotton/viscose, cot-
ton/linen and cotton/polyester, polyester/linen and poly-
ester/viscose blend fabrics. All these fabric were sepa-
rately functionalized with monochlorotriazenyl β-cyclo-
dextrin (R-β-CD) then treated with different concentra-
tion insect repellent agent (permethrin). The effect of
permethrin concentration, degree of fabric modification
with β-CD, kind of curtain material and its construction
on the characteristic properties of the curtain fabric were
investigated. These properties include, fabric retained
tensile strength, drapability and durability of insect re-
pellent function against several washing cycle. The in-
fluence of insect repellent finished curtain fabrics on
mosquitoes (type Aedes aegypti) which include the per-
cent repellence, knockdo wn and mortality was evaluated.
2. Experimental
2.1. Fabrics Specification
Two kind of warp thread are used for manufacturing
curtain fabrics, cotton and polyester, whereas, three dif-
ferent kind of weft thread are used, namely, cotton, vis-
cose and linen. Hence, six different substrates having
different specification are produced. Table 1 summar izes
the specifications of these fabrics.
2.2. Weaving Machine Specification
Electronic Jakard weaving machine type Picanol, Model
Gama 1995 has been use in fabric manufacturing. The
machine operates with 550 picks/min and the numbers of
Jakard shinkels used were 3072.
2.3. Chemical Used
Monochlorotriazinyl-β-cyclodextrin referred here as re-
active β-cyclodextrin (R-β-CD) was provided by Waker
Chemie GmbH, Germany. Sodium hydroxide, acetic acid
and sodium carbonate were of laboratory grade chemi-
cals. Egyptol® (non-ionic wetting agent based on ethyl-
ene oxide condensate) and Espycon® (anionic wetting
agent), commercial permethrin were of technical grade.
2.4. Fabric Preparation
After waving the fabrics were subjected to mild scouring
on winch machine using recipe currently used by the
industry described as follows: All fabrics were treated in
winch machine with an aqueous solution containing
NaOH (6 g/L), Egyptol® (2 g/L) and Espycon® (1 g/L)
using material to liquor ratio (LR) 1:20 at 95˚C for 30
min. The samples were then washed several times with
boiling water an d cold water and finally dried at ambient
conditions
2.5. Modification of Curtain Fabric with
Reactive Cyclodextrin (R-CD) and
Permethrin
Scoured curtain fabrics were cut into pieces with a di-
mension of 40 × 40 cm. Reaction of these fabrics with
R-β-CD was carried out using pad-dry-cure method
[11-14,19] the experimental technique was adopted as
follows: The fabric was padded in two dips and two nips

Development of Longer-Lasting Insect Repellence Cellulosic Based Curtain Fabrics
202
Table 1. Fabric specifications.
Substrate No I II III IV V VI
Type of warp yarn Cotton Cotton Cotton Polyester Polyester Polyester
Type of weft yarn Cotton Viscose Linen Cotton Viscose Linen
Number of warp yarn/cm
Number of weft yarn/cm
Warp yarn count (Tex)
Weft yarn count ( Tex)
Repeat of warp
Reading set Slaying reading (dent/cm)
48
28
14.5
37
36.6
24
2
48
28
14.5
37
36.6
24
2
48
28
14.5
37
36.6
24
2
72
28
17
37
35.5
9
8
72
28
17
37
35.5
9
8
72
28
17
37
35.5
9
8
in an aqueous solution containing R-β-CD (0-150 g/L)
and sodium carbonate (30 g/L) then squeezed to a wet
pick-up of about 100%. The cotton fabric was dried at
85˚C for 5 min and then cured at 160˚C for 3 min. The
fabric was washed with cold water containing 1% acetic
acid followed by several washing cycles and finally dried
under the normal ambient conditions.
The obtained β-CD-treated samples were separately
impregnated in four different concentration from insects
repellent agent (0-20 g/L) for 20 min with occasionally
steering. The fabric was then squeezed using centrifuge
then dried in an air oven at 40˚C for 30 min to remove
excess unfixed permethrin, then dried at 50˚C for 30 min
then put in polyethylene bag.
2.6. Analysis and Testing
1) Nitrogen content of the treated fabric was determined
by the Kjeldha l me t hod [ 22] .
2) Fabric tensile strength of was determined according
to ASTM standard test method [23].
3) Fabric drapability was determined according to a
reported method [24].
4) Determination of insect repellent retention capacity
of the treated curtain fabric agains t mosquitoes (repellent
efficacy) including repellent effect, knockdown effect
and mortality resulting from exposed the mosquitoes to
the treated fabric were measured using World Health
Organization (WHO ) stand ard cone tests method [1-3,25 ].
The numbers of mosquitoes repelled, knockdown and
mortality were recorded after 60 min. Mosquitoes type
Aedes aegypti was used.
3. Result and Discussion
Monochlorotriazenyl-β-cyclodextrin (R-β-CD) reacts wi-
th cotton or linen cellulose in presence of alkaline me-
dium to produces fabric bearing β-CD moieties. Different
level from β-CD modified curtain fabrics can be pro-
duced by using different R-β-CD concentration. The
amount of β-CD moieties on the fabrics are monitored
via determination of nitrogen content of the fabric. Cel-
lulosic based curtain fabric bearing β-CD are allowed to
react with insect repelling agents (permethrin) as inclu-
sion into the cavities of β-cyclodextrin. It is feasible that,
the treatment efficacy depend manly on the amount of
β-CD moieties on the fabric and the fabric type and per-
methrin concentration. The effects of these two parame-
ters are discussed below.
3.1. Relation between the Amounts of β-CD
Moieties on Cotton Based Curtain Fabric
and its Insect Repellent Retention Capacity
Table 2 shows the eff ect of permethrin concentration and
the fabric content from β-CD moieties (expressed as ni-
trogen content) on amount of mosquitoes repellence,
knockdown and mortality. It should be noted here that,
zero nitrogen conten t represent those fabric did not func-
tionalized with R-β-CD whereas zero permethrin con-
centration represent those fabric modified with β-CD
only. It is seen from Table 2 that:
1) Unmodified 100% cotton fabric (having zero N%)
did not show any influence on the mosquitoes unless it
treated with permethrin. Treatment the unmodified fabric
with permethrin marginally increases the percent repel-
lence, knockdown and mortality of mosquitoes and the
maximum values were obtained at permethrin concentra-
tion equal 15 g/ L.
2) At constant permethrin concentration, increasing the
amount of β-CD moieties on the fabric enhances the ac-
tion of the treatment against mosquitoes. This was evi-
denced by increasing the percent repellence, percent
mosquito’s knockdown and percent dead mosquitoes by
increasing the nitrogen content of the fabric. Higher ac-
tion of finished curtain fabric made of 100% cotton
against mosquitoes is observed at nitrogen content equal
to 0.43%. This amount of β-CD moieties fixed on the
cotton fabric was attained when using 100 g/L, MCT-
β-CD in finishing treatment.
3) Result of Table 2 make it clear that cotton fabrics
finished with β-CD shows an improvement of their insect
repellent retention capacity, especially towards mosqui-
toes. It is also obvious that, the repellence effect of fin-
ished curtain fabric depends mainly on its content from

Development of Longer-Lasting Insect Repellence Cellulosic Based Curtain Fabrics
203
Table 2. Relation between the efficacy of treated 100 % cotton fabric against mosquitoes and its content from β-CD moieties
(expressed as N%) and permethrin concentration.
Repellence % Knockdown % Mortality %
N% N% N%
Perm-ethrin c o nc .
(g/L)) 0.0 (b) 0.21 0.43 0.61 0.00.21 0.43 0.61 0.0 0.21 0.43 0.61
0.0 (a)
5
10
15
20
0
5
16
16
17
0
15
30
65
75
0
30
63
93
93
0
25
61
92
94
0
0
3
6
8
0
5
10
15
20
0
10
30
64
65
0
20
40
65
65
0
0
0
2
2
0
0
2
2
5
0
0
5
5
5
0
0
5
5
5
(a)Values at zero permethrin concen tration repr esent the efficacy of cotton or β-CD modified cotton fabric towards mosquitoes. (b)Values at zero N% represent
the efficacy of unmodified cotton fabric towards mosquitoes.
β-CD moieties and permethrin concentration. This
clearly indicated that, apart from the interactions of the
permethrin molecules with the cotton cellulose network
(physical adsorption, hydrogen bonding), the β-CD mole-
cules played a major role. Improvement of insect repel-
lent retention capacity is attrib uted to the formation of an
inclusion complex between permethrin molecules and the
cavity of β-CD molecules on cotton fabric in addition to
other interactions like hydrogen bonding and physical
surface adsorption [11-13,19].
Tables 3 and 4 show the effect of permethrin concen-
tration and the fabric content from β-CD moieties (ex-
pressed as nitrogen content) on insect repellent retention
capacity of curtain fabric made of cotton/viscose and
cotton/linen respectively. Results of Tables 3 and 4 are
similar to that obtained with 100% cotton fabric (Table 2)
and could be explained on similar basis.
3.2. Relation between the Amounts of β-CD
Moieties on Polyester Based Curtain Fabric
and its Insect Repellent Retention Capacity
Table 5 shows the eff ect of permethrin concentration and
the fabric content from β-CD moieties (expressed as ni-
trogen content) on amount of mosquitoes repellence,
knockdown and mortality. It should be noted here that,
zero nitrogen conten t represent those fabric did not func-
tionalized with R-β-CD whereas zero permethrin con-
centration represent those fabric modified with β-CD
only. It is seen from Table 2 that, Unmodified polyes-
ter/cotton fabric (having zero N%) did not show any in-
fluence on the mosquitoes. Treatment the unmodified
fabric with different concentration from permethrin in-
creases the percent repellence, knockdown and mortality
of mosquitoes and the maxi mum values were obtained at
permethrin concentration equal 15 g/L.
Comparing these results with the results ob tained with
100% cotton fabric (Table 2) reveals that, at the same
permethrin concentration, the insect repellent retention
capacity of unmodified polyester/cotton fabric is greater
than that observ ed with unmodified 100% cotton fabrics.
This may be due to the similarity between th e hydropho-
bic nature of polyester component in the fabric to the
hydrophobic nature of permethrin which enhances the
surface binding of permethrin onto the polyester fabric
via Van der Waal force.
It is further noted from Table 5 that, at constant per-
methrin concentration, increasing the amount of β-CD
moieties on the fabric enhances the action of the treat-
ment against mosquitoes. This was evidenced by in-
creasing the percent repellence, percent mosquito’s
knockdown and percent dead mosquitoes by increasing
the nitrogen content of the fabric. Higher action of fin-
ished curtain fabric made of polyester/cotton against
mosquitoes is observed at nitrogen content equal to
0.31%. This amount of β-CD moieties fixed on the poly-
ester/cotton fabric was attained when using 100 g/L,
MCT-β-CD in finishing treatment.
Result of Table 5 clearly indicated that, apart from the
interactions of the permethrin molecules with the poly-
ester and cotton cellulose network (Van der Waal physi-
cal adsorption, hydrogen bonding), the β-CD molecules
played a major role. Improvement of insect repellent re-
tention capacity is attribu ted to the formation of an inclu-
sion complex between permethrin molecules and the
cavity of β-CD molecules onto polyester/cotton fabric.
Tables 6 and 7 show the effect of permethrin concen-
tration and the fabric content from β-CD moieties (ex-
pressed as nitrogen content) on insect repellent retention
capacity of curtain fabric made of polyester/viscose and
polyester/linen respectively. Results of Tables 6 and 7
are similar to that obtained with polyester/cotton fabric
(Table 5) and could be explained on similar basis.
Comparison between the results obtained in Tables
5-7 show that, at approximately similar nitrogen content
and permethrin concentration, the insect repellent reten-
tion capacity of polyester based fabric fellow the order:
polyester/linen > polyester/cotton > polyester/viscose
fabric.

Development of Longer-Lasting Insect Repellence Cellulosic Based Curtain Fabrics
204
Table 3. Relation between the efficacy of treated cotton/viscose fabric against mosquitoes and its content from β-CD moieties
(expressed as N%) and permethrin concentration.
Repellence % Knockdown % Mortality %
N% N% N%
Perm-ethrin
conc. (g/L)) 0.0 (b) 0.23 0.45 0.65 0.00.23 0.45 0.65 0.0 0.23 0.45 0.65
0.0 (a)
5
10
15
20
0
5
10
15
20
0
20
40
68
78
0
50
62
95
94
0
55
65
95
96
0
0
5
10
10
0
3
8
32
39
0
15
30
67
65
0
37
55
68
68
0
0
0
2
2
0
0
1
3
5
0
0
4
7
7
0
0
4
5
7
(a)Values at zero permethrin concen tration repr esent the efficacy of cotton or β-CD modified cotton fabric towards mosquitoes. (b)Values at zero N% represent
the efficacy of unmodified cotton fabric towards mosquitoes.
Table 4. Relation between the efficacy of treated cotton/linen fabric against mosquitoes and its content from β-CD moieties
(expressed as N%) and permethrin concentration.
Repellence % Knockdown % Mortality %
N% N% N%
Perm-ethrin
conc. (g/L) 0.0 (b) 0.27 0.49 0.67 0.00.27 0.49 0.67 0.0 0.27 0.49 0.67
0.0 (a)
5
10
15
20
0
5
19
23
30
0
23
35
65
87
0
28
77
98
99
0
36
86
99
99
0
8
11
12
17
0
0
10
29
31
0
10
30
76
77
0
20
40
75
75
0
0
0
2
2
0
0
4
6
8
0
0
4
10
10
0
0
8
9
10
(a)Values at zero permethrin concen tration repr esent the efficacy of cotton or β-CD modified cotton fabric towards mosquitoes. (b)Values at zero N% represent
the efficacy of unmodified cotton fabric towards mosquitoes.
Table 5. Relation between the efficacy of treated polyester/cotton fabric against mosquitoes and its content from β-CD moie-
ties (expressed as N%) and permethrin concentration.
Repellence % Knockdown % Mortality %
N% N% N%
Perm-ethrin
conc. (g/L) 0.0(b) 0.17 0.27 0.42 0.0 0.17 0.270.42 0.0 0.17 0.27 0.42
0.0(a)
5
10
15
20
0
15
25
30
35
0
16
26
25
42
0
25
29
74
76
0
33
65
75
77
0
8
12
20
31
0
8
10
35
38
0
10
22
55
55
0
16
31
53
53
0
3
4
5
5
0
3
3
6
8
0
5
5
9
8
0
5
5
9
9
(a)Values at zero permethrin concen tration repr esent the efficacy of cotton or β-CD modified cotton fabric towards mosquitoes. (b)Values at zero N% represent
the efficacy of unmodified cotton fabric towards mosquitoes.
Table 6. Relation between the efficacy of treated polyester/viscose fabric against mosquitoes and its content from β-CD moie-
ties (expressed as N%) and permethrin concentration.
Repellence % Knockdown % Mortality %
N% N% N%
Perm-ethrin
conc. (g/L) 0.0 (b) 0.17 0.29 0.41 0.0 0.17 0.29 0.41 0.0 0.17 0.29 0.41
0.0(a)
5
10
15
20
0
17
27
31
32
0
18
25
36
42
0
18
43
81
80
0
32
69
80
81
0
8
12
28
31
0
7
15
27
30
0
10
22
57
55
0
16
31
53
53
0
3
4
5
5
0
2
3
5
6
0
2
3
5
6
0
2
4
6
7
(a)Values at zero permethrin concen tration repr esent the efficacy of cotton or β-CD modified cotton fabric towards mosquitoes. (b)Values at zero N% represent
the efficacy of unmodified cotton fabric towards mosquitoes.

Development of Longer-Lasting Insect Repellence Cellulosic Based Curtain Fabrics
205
3.3. Effect of the Curtain Fabric Type on
Mosquitoes Repellent Retention Capacity
Table 8 shows the effect of fabric type on mosquitoes
repellent retention capacity. It is seen that, the insect re-
pellent retention capacity of curtain fabric treated with
R-β-CD followed by permethrin depends on the fabric
type. Cotton based curtain fabrics (100% cotton, cot-
ton/viscose and cotton/linen fabrics) shows higher insect
repellent retention capacity compared with polyester
based curtain fabrics. Cellulose reacts more readily than
polyester with R-β-CD in alkaline medium. Therefore,
curtain fabrics have higher cellulose content will acquire
higher amount from β-CD moieties, which in turn ac-
commodate higher permethrin molecules inside β-CD
cavities.
Based on the above results (Tables 2-8), it could be
emphasized that; the insect repellent reten tion capacity of
curtain fabric treated with R-β-CD followed by perme-
thrin depends on the fabric type and directly proportion
to the amount of fixed β-CD moieties on the fabric and
permethrin concentration.
3.4. Effect of Insect Repellence Treatment on
Tensile Strength and Drapability of
Perfumed Curtain Fabrics
Tensile strength and drapability is the most important
properties of curtain fabrics. In order to examine the ef-
fect of our insects’ repellence finishing treatment on the
retained tensile strength and drapability of cu rtain fabrics,
both drapability and tensile strength were evaluated be-
fore and after the treatments.
Figure 1 shows the retain tensile strength of the
treated curtain fabrics under investigatio n. It is seen fro m
Figure 1 that, 100% cotton perfumed curtain fabric has
retained tensile strength amounted 93%, whereas those
made from cotton/viscose and cotton/linen have retained
tensile strength 85% and 94% respectively. The decree-
ment in tensile strength of 100% cotton and cotton/linen
curtain fabrics after insect repellent finishing treatment is
due to the action of alkali on cellulose at higher tem-
perature during it functionalization with R-β-CD. The
effect of these alkali and temperature on cotton/viscose
fabric is more pronounced; therefore the retained tensile
strength of cotton/viscose is much lower.
It is seen also from Figure 1 that, the retained tensile
strength of polyester based curtain fabrics after insect
repellent finishing fellow the order: polyester/linen >
polyester/cotton > polyester/viscose. It is further observ-
ed that the polyester based curtain fabrics show higher
retained tensile strength in comparison with cotton based
fabrics after the treatment.
Figure 2 shows the drap ability o f curtain fab r ics und er
investigation before and after insect repellent finishing
treatment. It should be noted here that higher drapability
Table 7. Relation between the efficacy of treated polyester/linen fabric against mosquitoes and its content from β-CD moieties
(expressed as N%) and permethrin concentration.
Repellence % Knockdown % Mortality %
N% N% N%
Perm-ethrin
conc. (g/L) 0.0 (b) 0.20 0.31 0.42 0.0 0.20 0.31 0.42 0.0 0.20 0.31 0.42
0.0(a)
5
10
15
20
0
20
29
38
39
0
22
31
38
42
0
28
39
87
85
0
32
69
88
90
0
8
16
22
22
0
8
15
27
29
0
10
22
65
66
0
16
31
63
63
0
3
4
5
5
0
3
4
5
6
0
4
3
6
5
0
4
5
6
7
(a)Values at zero permethrin concen tration repr esent the efficacy of cotton or β-CD modified cotton fabric towards mosquitoes. (b)Values at zero N% represent
the efficacy of unmodified cotton fabric towards mosquitoes.
Table 8. Effect of the curtain fabric type on mosquitoes repellent retention capacity.
Type of curtain fabric N% Repellence % Knockdown % Mortality %
100% cotton fabric
Cotton/viscose
Cotton/linen
0.43
0.45
0.49
93
95
98
64
67
79
5
7
10
Polyester/cotton
Polyester/viscose
polyester/linen
0.27
0.29
0.31
74
81
87
55
57
65
2
3
6
Conditions Used: Curtain fabrics were modified with β-CD then treated with permethrin as described in the experimental part. Permethrin concentration, 15
g/L.

Development of Longer-Lasting Insect Repellence Cellulosic Based Curtain Fabrics
206
Figure 1. Retained tensile strength of curtain fabricafter
treatment with β-CD and permethrin. Conditions used:
Reaction of curtain fabrics with β-CD then treatment with
permethrin are described in the experimental part. Nitro-
gen content of the treated fabric are listed in Table 8.
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1
D rap ab i l i ty i n d ex
B efo re trea tm en t
After t rea tment
Figure 2. Drapability index of curtain fabrics before and
after treatment with β-CD and permethrin. Conditions used:
Reaction of curtain fabrics with β-CD then treatment with
permethrin are described in the experimental part. Nitro-
gen content of the treated fabric are listed in Table 8. Per-
methrin concentration (15 g/L).
index indicates higher stiff fabric and vice versa.
It is seen from Figure 2 that, curtain fabrics shows a
variable drapability index depending on the type of fibres
used in manufactu ring the fabrics. The drapability index-
es of curtain fabrics before insect repellent finishing trea-
tment have the following order:
100% cotton > PES/cotton > cotton/linen > cotton/vis-
cose > PES/linen > PES/viscose.
Figure 2 shows also that values of drapability index of
curtain fabrics before and insect repellent finishing treat-
ment are very com par ab le a nd have the same order.
Results of Figures 1 and 2 make it clear that, long
lasting treatment of curtain fabrics under investigation
did not adversely affect on the drapability properties or
tensile strength of the fabrics.
3.5. Durability of Insect Repellent Retention
Capacity against Washing
Curtain fabrics under investigation were functionalized
with 100 g/L from R-β-CD in alkaline medium then
treated with 15 g/L permethrin as explained in the ex-
perimental part. These fabrics were subjected to mild 15
washing cycle. Each cycle comprises washing the treated
fabric with warm water at 50˚C under stirring for 15 min
then dried. The fabrics were then evaluated for insect
repellent retention capacity after every five washing cy-
cles. This was carried out in order to investigate the re-
sistance of the insect repellent finishing treatment to re-
peated washing. The insect repellent retention capacity
includes the percent repelled mosquitoes, percent mos-
quitoes knockdown , and percent mosquitoes killed (mor-
tality). Results obtained are represen ted in Figures 3-5. It
should be noted here that, zero washing cycle represent
the insect repellent retention capacity of curtain fabrics
directly after preparation and before washing.
It is seen from Figures 3-5 that:
1) The percent mosquitoes repellence of 100% cotton
fabric gradually decreases as the number of washing cy-
cles increase. After 15 washing cycles the percent repel-
lence reached to approximately 45%. Similar trends are
observed for curtained fabric made of cotton/viscose and
cotton/linen fabric where the percent mosquitoes repel-
lence reached to 50% and 60% respectively.
Figure 3. Effect of repeated laundry on the % repellence of
the permethrin treated curtain fabric. Conditions used:
Reaction of curtain fabrics with β-CD then treatment with
permethrin is described in the experimental part. Nitrogen
content of the treated fabric is listed in Table 8. Permethrin
concentration, 15 g/L.

Development of Longer-Lasting Insect Repellence Cellulosic Based Curtain Fabrics
207
Figure 4. Effect of repeated laundry on the % knockdown
of the permethrin treated curtain fabric. Conditions used:
Reaction of curtain fabrics with β-CD then treatment with
permethrin are described in the experimental part. Nitro-
gen content of the treated fabric are listed in Table 8. Per-
methrin concentration (15 g/L).
Figure 5. Effect of repeated laundry on the % mortality of
the permethrin treated curtain fabric. Conditions used:
Reaction of curtain fabrics with β-CD then treatment with
permethrin are described in the experimental part. Nitro-
gen content of the treated fabric are listed in Table 8. Per-
methrin concentration (15 g/L).
2) For polyester based curtain fabrics, the percent
mosquitoes repellence also decreases by increases the
number of washing cycle. After 15 washing cycle, the
percent repellence of polyester/cotton, polyester/viscose
and polyester/linen fabric was amounted 20%, 30%, and
40% respectively.
3) Results of Fig ure 3 make it clear also that; durabil-
ity of the percent repellence against washing depends on
the type of curtain fabric and its content from β-CD
moieties. The higher fabric content from β-CD moieties
the higher residual repellence after repeated washin g.
4) Figures 4,5 show the change in percent mosquitoes
knockdown, and percent mosquitoes killed (mortality)
respectively, after repeated washing . Results obtained are
represented in Figures 4,5 are similar to those obtained
in Figure 3 and could be explained on similar basis.
4. Conclusions
The insect repellent retention capacity of curtain fabrics
functionalized with R-β-CD then treated with permethrin
depends on the amount of β-CD moieties on the curtain
fabrics (expressed as nitrogen content), type of fabric and
permethrin concentration. At the same permethrin con-
centration, increasing the amount of β-CD moieties on
the fabric enhances the repellent retention capacity action
against mosquitoes. Higher action is observed at perm-
thrin concentration equal to 15 g/L and nitrogen content
equal to 0.43%. This amount of β-CD moieties fixed on
the cotton fabric was attained when using 100 g/L,
MCT-β-CD during finishing treatment. Results also show
that, curtain fabric made of cotton/linen shows highest
mosquitoes repellent retention capacity and highest re-
sistance against washing compared with 100% cotton or
cotton/viscose. Polyester based curtain fabrics shows
lower insect repellent retention capacity compared with
cellulosic based fabric. The insect repellent treatment of
curtain fabrics under investigation did not adversely af-
fect the tensile strength or drapability index of curtain
fabrics.
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