Novel biocidal fabrics were synthesized by the graft copolymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) onto plasma-treated nonwoven polypropylene (PP) to produce PP/ GMA grafts. Atmospheric oxygenated helium plasma was used to enhance the PP fabrics' initiation before GMA grafting. The grafted PP/GMA epoxide group was reacted with beta-cyclodextrin, monochlorotrizynyl-beta-cyclodextrins, or a quaternary ammonium chitosan derivative [N-(2 hydroxy propyl) 3-trimethylammonium chitosan chloride]. Some interesting biocidal agents were complexed into the cyclodextrin (CD) cavity of PP/GMA/CD grafted fabrics. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and optical and scanning electron microscopies were used to characterize the grafted complexed fabrics. These synthesized biocidal fabrics proved to be antistatic, antimicrobial, and insect-repelling (see part II of this study). (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.