Flexible Zr-MOF anchored polymer nanofiber membrane for efficient removal of creatinine in uremic toxins

Abstract

High-performance and low-cost hemodialysis membranes are urgently needed by patients suffering from end-stage renal disease. Here, we designed a flexible multifunctional Zr-MOF anchored polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber membrane (UAPNFM), which has good adsorption, dialysis, and regeneration ability. A novel adhesive layer modification method was used to make UIO-66-(COOH) 2 nanocrystals grow in-situ on the composite nanofibers. The UIO-66-(COOH) 2 nanocrystals were uniformly and stably anchored on the nanofibers with the content of 54.99 wt%. The obtained UAPNFM has the capability to effectively remove uremic toxins with excellent retain protein rate. The Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic model can be applied to better describe the adsorption process. The maximum adsorption capacity of UAPNFM for creatinine reached 168.63 mg/g. After 4 h of simulate dialysis, the clearance rate of creatinine was 82.48% and the protein retention rate of bovine serum albumin (BSA) by the UAPNFM was 93.09%. In addition, after four cycles, the removal efficiency for creatinine still remained at 82.31%. The results show that the UAPNFM has good regenerability. Moreover, the composite nanofiber membrane exhibited satisfactory blood compatibility. Therefore, this unique flexible Zr-MOF anchored polymer composite nanofiber membrane with an outstanding creatinine removal performance provides a new opportunity for cost reduction for clinical hemodialysis. • A flexible multifunctional Zr-MOF anchored nanofiber membrane is prepared. • The UAPNFM has excellent blood compatibility. • The UAPNFM shows high adsorption capacity towards creatinine. • The UAPNFM could effectively remove uremic toxins with excellent retain protein rate. • The UAPNFM has great application prospect in low-cost clinical blood purification.