Development of Nano-polymer Based Dialysis Membrane

Abstract

The kidneys are essential for preserving the body's internal balance. However, kidney illnesses impact millions of people globally and pose a serious threat to public health. Hemodialysis membranes based on polyethersulfone (PES) can offer patients with renal impairment a life-sustaining therapeutic method. Nevertheless, the intrinsic hydrophobic nature of PES contributes to an inefficiency of uremic toxin clearance and a compromised hemocompatibility. This work evaluates the effects of hydrophilic additives, SiO2 nanoparticles, on the functionality of polyethersulfone (PES) membranes. NMP was used as the solvent in the non-solvent phase inversion procedure to create the membranes. Tensile testing, porosity, contact angle analysis, FTIR, and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize the manufactured membranes. The SEM images demonstrated the successful fabrication of the membranes. Each membrane possessed a thin skin layer and an asymmetric porous framework. As a result of the synergistic effect, the membrane with the highest nanoparticles concentration performed better. The membrane having the highest nanoparticles concentration had excellent hydrophilicity, increased porosity, and a high-water retention capacity. Moreover, they showed a urea clearance of 76.5%, a pure water flux of 94 L/m²/h, and an outstanding BSA rejection of 96.56%. RSM modelling was employed to determine the urea clearance that verified the ideal conditions for urea removal were concentrations of 1200 mg/L and 0.6 MPa.