Verma S.K., Modi A., Singh A.K., Teotia R., Bellare J.
IIT Bombay, IN
Keywords: hollow fiber membranes hemodialysis
Nanocomposite zeolite based hollow fiber membranes (HFMs) were made using polyether sulfone (P) as a base polymer, vitamin E TPGS (T) as an additive, and nano-zeolite (NZ) as a filler. Such membranes would have widespread applications, but one goal was to improve outcomes in hemodialysis for kidney failure patients. The resulting nanocomposite membranes materials (called PT-NZ) were spun based on dry-wet spinning method based on phase inversion. The additive and filler helped nodular organization of the polymer into nano-sized domains with numerous pores in-between, and improved transport properties. They also helped with presenting a more biocompatible surface to the blood and thereby improved hemocompatibility. The PT-NZ membranes were used to fabricate modules consisting of bundles of fibers, and the modules were, in turn, fabricated into mini dialysers. The ultrafiltration coefficient of such PT-NZ HFM-based module (of about 274 mL/m2-hr-mm of Hg) was about 1.5-times higher than that of the commercial (F60S) membrane (about 152 mL/m2-hr-mm of Hg). The bovine serum albumin BSA rejection in aqueous mixtures was found 93.98 %. The toxin clearance performance of lab-scale PT-NZ HFM-based hemodialyzer with uremic toxin spiked goat blood was remarkably higher (about 5X more reduction ratio) than that of commercial F60S hollow fibers. Hence, the synthesized PT-NZ HFMs can be a potential membrane material for the hemodialysis application. The newly made HFMs reported here could help in decreasing the total treatment time and reducing side-reactions during dialysis for those end stage kidney disease (ESRD) patients dependent on hemodialysis.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 1, Advanced Materials: TechConnect Briefs 2017
Published: May 14, 2017
Pages: 291 - 294
Industry sector: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
Topic: Coatings, Surfaces & Membranes
ISBN: 978-0-9975117-8-9