Nanocomposite membrane of alumina nanofibers / poly ether sulfone as blood-contacting biomaterials

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the physicochemical, mechanical, antifouling, and hemocompatibility effects of electrospun alumina (γ-Al2O3) nanofibers incorporated into polyether sulfone membranes. The γ-Al2O3 nanofibers with mean diameter of 81 ±27 nm were successfully produced using sol-gel and electrospinning methods. By changing the weight ratio of Al2O3 nanofibers to Poly ether sulfone (PES) solution (0, 0.03, 0.05, and 0.1 w/w), different membranes were fabricated using the phase inversion method. With the addition of 0.03 (w/w) Al2O3 nanofibers, the membrane’s pore size increased, but decreased with further nanofiber addition. Energy dispersive spectroscopy mapping analysis revealed that Al3+ ions were successfully distributed throughout the membranes except for those containing 0.1 (w/w) Al2O3. The alumina nanofibers increase the crystallinity and mechanical strength of the PES membrane, while reducing its surface roughness. Alumina content increased in PES membranes resulted in a reduction in flux reduction, improved BSA rejection and antifouling properties, and decreased platelet adhesion and hemolysis, improving hemocompatibility. Overall, PES-0.05 with a mean radius pore of 9.60± 0.90, highest BSA rejection (98.2±0.4) and FRR (72), the lowest platelet adhesion and hemolysis ratio was considered as an optimum membrane.