Textiles Enhanced with Nanoparticle-Infused Functional Finishes

In light of the pervasive health threats posed by disease-carrying mosquitoes, such as those transmitting malaria and dengue, there is a growing need for effective mosquito repellents. Traditional repellents, including plant extracts, oils, and smoke, are increasingly being replaced by safer and eco-friendly alternatives. This study explores the development of moquito-repellent textiles by synthesizing TiO2 nanoparticles from Ocimum basilicum (basil) plant extracts in both pre- and post-calcinated forms. These nanoparticles were applied to cotton fabric through screen printing at two different concentrations and characterized using particle size analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The biosynthesis of calcinated nanoparticles resulted in an average grain size of 8.9 nm. Average sizes of 60-93 nm for calcinated nanoparticles and 113-146 nm for pre- calcinated nanoparticles were found by SEM analysis. Mosquito-repellent efficacy, assessed using cage tests with copper sulphate as a mordant, showed promising results. The repelling efficacy of fabrics treated with 10% pre-calcinated nanoparticles ranged from 90 to 96%; however, efficacy decreased following post-treatment. Wash durability testing showed that fabrics containing 10% post-calcinated nanoparticles performed their best after five wash cycles and were 50% effective after ten wash cycles. Despite the promising outcomes, the study faced challenges related to the uniform dispersion and adherence of nanoparticles during application, as well as the retention of functional efficacy after repeated laundering. Nonetheless, this study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on green nanotechnology by demonstrating the potential of basil leaf extract in combination with TiO2 nanoparticles for developing sustainable, eco-friendly mosquito-repellent textiles.