Assessment of Characteristics and Performance of Fabricated Polysulfone and Polyethersulfone Hollow Fiber Membranes for Hemodialysis

Tewfik, Shadia R.; Sorour, Mohamed H.; Shaalan, Hayam F.; Hani, Heba A.; Aboelnour, AbdelGhany M. G.; Eltoukhy, Mahmoud A.; Mostafa, Yomna Osama; Naguib, Aya N.; Awad, Mona A.M.

doi:10.21608/ejchem.2025.343407.10958

Assessment of Characteristics and Performance of Fabricated Polysulfone and Polyethersulfone Hollow Fiber Membranes for Hemodialysis

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Chemical Engineering and Pilot Plant Department, National Research Centre, El-Buhouth Street, Dokki, Giza, Egypt;

² Chemical Engineering and Pilot Plant Department, National Research Centre, El-Buhouth Street, Dokki, Giza, Egypt

³ chemical engineering department, national research center,egypt

⁴ Chemical Engineering and Pilot Plant Department, Engineering & Renewable Energy Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt

⁵ chemical engineering department, engineering research division, national research centre, dokki, giza, Egypt

⁶ Mechanical engineering Department, Engineering & Renewable Energy Research Institute, National Research Centre

⁷ Department of Clinical Pathology , National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt&lrm;

10.21608/ejchem.2025.343407.10958

Abstract

Hemodialysis is a common treatment method for chronic renal failure, where the dope composition and spinning parameters significantly influence the hemodialysis hollow fiber (HDHF) membrane characteristics and separation performance. This study investigates the performance and characteristics of HDHF membranes due to planned variations of dope composition and spinning parameters. The membranes were prepared on a semi-pilot scale experimental set-up. All fibers were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, porosity and pore size assessment, mechanical properties, zeta potential, and performance evaluation. The fibers exhibited a double-layer finger-like structure with thickness between 208 and 264 μm and pure water flux ranging from 3 to 22 L/m2.h.bar. Membranes prepared from polyethersulfone showed the lowest roughness (16nm) and the highest break stress and exhibited low flux values classifying them as low-flux hemodialysis membranes. In contrast, those made from polysulfone demonstrated higher flux values which are suitable for high-flux hemodialysis applications. Protein adsorption and platelet adhesion results were similar to those of commercial hemodialysis membranes. It is important to note that the thicker walls of the HDHF membranes did not negatively impact their characteristics and performance. The study offers insights into optimal conditions for fabricating HDHF membranes across various flux classes.

Keywords