Creatinine adsorption capacity of electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-zeolite nanofiber membranes for potential artificial kidney applications

Innovative dialysis membranes are needed for dialysis, which is the primary treatment for patients with end stage renal disease. In this study, we developed a polyacrylonitrile zeolite nanofiber composite membrane using an electrospinning process to adsorb uremic toxins through molecular sieve mechanism. Scanning electron microscope images revealed that the average diameter of the fiber fabricated with 10 wt % polyacrylonitrile was 673 nm and that of polyacrilonitirle-zeolite membranes were 277-419 nm. The creatinine adsorption behavior of 500-KOA (L), 720-KOA (Farrierite), 840-NHA (ZSM-5), and 940-HOA (Beta) zeolite powders were investigated. Among all the zeolites, 940-HOA zeolites showed the best performance. The creatinine adsorption capacity of 940-zeolite powders increased from 2234 mu g/g in 50 mu mol/L creatinine solution to 25423 mu g/g in 625 mu mol/L creatinine solution. The speed of adsorption was very quick; 0.025 g of 940-zeolite powders can eliminate 91% of 2 mu mol creatinine in 5 min. The zeolites incorporated inside the membrane had higher creatinine adsorption capacity than free zeolites. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42418.