Titanium dioxide/graphene oxide blending into polyethersulfone hollow fiber membranes improves biocompatibility and middle molecular weight separation for bioartificial kidney and hemodialysis applications.

Abstract

Hollow fiber membranes (HFMs) are critical components in hemodialysis and bioartificial kidney (BAK) applications, with ongoing research focused on optimizing biomaterials for improved performance. In this study, polyethersulfone (PES) HFMs were modified by incorporating titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and graphene oxide (GO) during the spinning process. This approach leverages the non-toxicity, hydrophilicity, and dispersion stability of TiO₂ alongside the large surface area of GO to enhance membrane properties. Characterization and performance evaluations demonstrated that TiO₂/GO-doped PES HFMs exhibit superior biocompatibility and hemocompatibility compared to plain PES, TiO₂/PES, and GO/PES membranes. Confocal microscopy revealed improved HEK293 cell attachment and proliferation, corroborated by MTT assays showing higher cell viability and flow cytometry indicating no cytotoxic effects. Hemocompatibility tests confirmed negligible hemolysis and anti-inflammatory properties, making the membranes suitable for blood-contacting applications. Furthermore, separation performance analyses highlighted TG(0.5/1.5) as the optimal composition, offering a balance of enhanced toxin removal and cell compatibility. These findings establish TiO₂/GO-doped PES HFMs as promising candidates for BAK and hemodialysis, combining excellent biocompatibility, hemocompatibility, and separation efficiency.