Janus PES-based architectures integrated dense membrane with porous monolith for simultaneous plasma separation and toxins adsorption

Chronic liver failure (CLF) and chronic renal failure (CRF) lead to toxins accumulation, severely impairing organ functions. To address this challenge, a Janus polyethersulfone (PES)-based architecture integrated dense membrane with porous monolith is developed, pioneering an approach for simultaneous plasma separation and toxins adsorption. The porous monolith, featuring high porosity about 83.3 % and substantial specific surface area about 102.06 m²/g, is prepared using the freezing-induced phase separation (FIPS) technique. The porous monolith is composed of polymer networks of PES and amphiphilic copolymer of poly (vinyl pyrrolidone-co-methyl methacrylate) (VM), as well as activated carbon. Among the various monolith, the PES₁₈VM₅C₂ exhibits the optimal balance of adsorption and anti-protein adhesion. The PES-VM-incorporated dense membrane with a controlled submicron pore size is constructed atop the PES₁₈VM₅C₂. The dense membrane effectively blocks hemocytes and the porous monolith efficiently adsorbs toxins. Together, the Janus architecture PES₁₈VM₅C₂M₁₆ allows over 85 % of bovine serum albumin (BSA) to permeate, showcasing its selective permeability. After being integrated into a custom 3D-printed supporting device, the PES₁₈VM₅C₂M₁₆ achieves significant clearance in creatinine (67.6 %), uric acid (87.4 %), and bilirubin (89.1 %) during 2-hour plasma adsorption test, with minimal impact on essential plasma components such as total protein, albumin, and cholesterol. This work presents a “Janus Interface Architecture” as next-generation platform for plasma separation and toxins adsorption, offering a promising strategy for wearable artificial liver systems.