Melt-spun poly(D,l-lactic acid) monofilaments containing N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide as mosquito repellent

Abstract

Malaria is still a major tropical disease, with Africa particularly burdened. It has been proposed that outdoor protection could aid substantially in reducing the malaria incidence rate in rural African communities. Recently, melt-spun polyolefin fibers containing mosquito repellents have been shown to be promising materials to this end. In this study, the incorporation of N,N-Diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET)—a popular and widely available mosquito repellent—in commercially available, amorphous poly(D,L-lactic acid) (PDLLA) is investigated with the aim of producing biodegradable mosquito-repelling filaments with a reduced environmental impact. It is shown to be possible to produce macroscopically stable PDLLA-DEET compounds containing up to 20 wt.-% DEET that can be melt-spun to produce filaments, albeit at relatively low take-up speeds. A critical DEET content allows for stress-induced crystallization during the spinning of the otherwise amorphous PDLLA, resulting in the formation of -crystals. Although the mechanical integrity of the filaments is notably impacted by the incorporation of DEET, these filaments show potential as materials that can be used for Malaria vector control.