Characterization of PES-Based Hemodialysis Membranes with Different Tourmaline Concentrations Prepared Using Non-solvent-Induced Phase Separation

The hemodialysis membrane is the most critical element in hemodialysis, a renal replacement therapy for patients with kidney disease, significantly influencing the rate of removal of toxic substances from the blood. However, the filtration efficiency and biocompatibility of the hemodialysis membrane, which comes into direct contact with blood, tend to decrease due to membrane fouling caused by protein adsorption on the membrane surface. In this study, hemodialysis membranes were manufactured via non-solvent-induced phase separation by adding tourmaline in varying concentrations to polyethersulfone (PES). The resulting membranes exhibited a finger-like structure with improved mechanical strength and increased removal rates for toxic substances, such as urea and creatinine. The removal rate of urea increased from 38.90 to a maximum of 55.90%, and the removal rate of creatinine increased from 21.09 to 51.69%. The maximum viability of cells on the membrane was 90.36%. The results of this study demonstrate the biocompatibility and functionality of PES-based hemodialysis membranes containing tourmaline.