Fabrication of superabsorbent fibrous membranes via a homemade green centrifugal spinning system for the efficient removal of excess water in patients with kidney failure

Abstract

Fibrous membranes have attracted attention as advanced absorbents for dialysis treatment due to their efficient removal properties. However, traditional fabrication methods remain expensive, time-consuming, inconvenient, and non-ecofriendly in resource-poor environments. In this study, poly(acrylic acid)-ethylene glycol (PAA-EG) superabsorbent fibrous membranes fabricated via a homemade green centrifugal spinning system for mass production were designed to efficiently remove excess water from kidney failure patients. The designed system could produce PAA-EG fibrous membranes with a uniform fiber diameter of 1.77 ± 0.67 μm and a high production rate of 50 mg/min of dry fibrous membranes. The efficacy and safety of the materials were characterized and evaluated, including a comparison with PAA-EG films, both in vitro using a mimicked wearable dialysis device and in porcine blood. Results showed that the liquid could be quickly absorbed into the polymer and the network structure of PAA-EG fibrous membranes with 6.53 times more water than PAA-EG films with no cytotoxicity and excellent hemocompatibility. Furthermore, the prepared fibrous membranes could selectively absorb water in the blood without affecting other large molecules in the blood, thereby achieving higher compatibility with the body. Thus, the described strategy of PAA-EG fibrous membranes could serve as suitable superabsorbents in wearable dialysis devices for removing excess water from kidney failure patients.