Two-dimensional borocarbonitrides nanosheets engineered sulfonated polyether sulfone microspheres as highly efficient and photothermally recyclable adsorbents for hemoperfusion

Adsorbents, which can be used to directly eliminate uremic toxins from blood, are decisive for hemoperfusion that maintains human renal function. However, developing adsorbents with large adsorption capacity, excellent chemical stability, high hemocompatibility and good cyclicity for toxins is still challenging. Herein, we proposed a type of two-dimensional (2D) carbon materials-borocarbonitrides (BCN) nanosheets as a novel uremic toxin adsorbent for blood perfusion. Theoretical analysis firstly confirmed the stronger binding capacity of BCN layer towards small molecular toxins than that of graphene. To make it applicable for practical perfusion, BCN nanosheets engineered sulfonated polyether sulfone (SPES) microspheres (B-PES) are thus constructed. Through static adsorption, the B-PES-4 achieves effective toxin adsorption capacities of 26, 40 and 197 mg g-1 on creatinine, uric acid and bilirubin respectively, which are 550%, 508% and 1756% outperforming pure SPES microspheres. In addition, simulated perfusion experiments demonstrate a good toxin removal efficiency for the microspheres, for example, over 80% of bilirubin is removed at a high perfusion rate of 20 mL min-1. Moreover, the B-PES microspheres neither induce hemolysis and immunoreaction in the blood nor affect cell viability. As a proof of concept, the photothermal property of BCN nanosheets is innovatively exploited for fast-drying and efficient recycling of the used B-PES microspheres. These features, together with the reusability, blood and cell compatibility, make the platform highly promising for clinical blood purification and artificial kidney application.

Automated summary

Scientists have developed a new type of uremic toxin adsorbent - two-dimensional carbon material borocarbonitride nanosheets, which have large adsorption capacity, excellent chemical stability, high hemocompatibility and good toxin cycling ability. It has been proven to have good removal efficiency for uremic toxins in vitro and does not have negative impacts on blood and cells. The photothermal property of this novel adsorbent is also utilized for its fast drying and efficient recycling. These features make this platform highly promising for clinical blood purification and artificial kidney application.