Fabrication and performance evaluation of polymeric membrane using blood compatible hydroxyapatite for artificial kidney application.

Abstract

In the current study, a phase inversion scheme was employed to fabricate hydroxyapatite (HA)/Polysulfone (PSF) based asymmetric membranes through using a film applicator with water as solvent-nonsolvent exchanging medium. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) spectroscopic studies were utilized to confirm the bonding chemistry and purity of filler. The inherent thick nature of PSF generated sponge-like shape while the instantaneous de-mixing process produced finger-like pore networks in HA/PSF-based asymmetric membranes as exhibited by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) micrographs. The FTIR spectra confirmed non-covalent weak attractions towards the polymer surface. The leaching ratio was evaluated to observe the dispersion behaviour of HA filler in membrane composition. Hydrophilicity, pore profile, pure water permeation (PWP) flux, and molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) values of all formulated membranes were also calculated. Antifouling results revealed that HA modified PSF membranes exhibited 43% less adhesion of bovine serum albumin (BSA) together with >86% recovery of flux. Membrane composition showed 74% total resistance, out of which 60% was reversible resistance. Biocompatibility evaluation revealed that the modified membranes exhibited prothrombin time (PT), and thrombin time (TT) comparable to typical blood plasma, whereas proliferation of living cells over membrane surface proved its non-toxic behaviour towards biomedical application. The urea and creatinine showed effective adsorption aptitude towards HA-loaded PSF membranes.