POLYETHERIMIDE/POLYVINYLPYRROLIDONE HOLLOW-FIBER MEMBRANES FOR USE IN HEMODIALYSIS

Abstract In this study, polyetherimide/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PEI/PVP) hollow fiber membranes (HFMs) were synthesized by the phase inversion method. The synthesized PEI/PVP membranes were characterized by morphological analysis and transport properties (hydraulic permeability and solute rejection coefficient). Their performance in uremic solutes separation was also investigated. Urea removal and clearance were measured. Surface properties were analyzed by infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), water uptake, zeta potential and protein adsorption. The results showed that PEI/PVP membranes had transport properties comparable to those of current high flux clinical membranes, with better removal of medium molecular weight solutes (using lysozyme as a model) and high retention of high molecular weight solutes (using albumin as a model). Surface characterization suggests that PEI/PVP membranes present improved blood compatibility. These results confirm the potential of polyetherimide as an alternative material for producing hollow fiber hemodialyzers, in substitution to polysulfone and polyethersulfone.