Hollow Fiber PES-PVP Membranes with Crab Shell Hydroxyapatite for Hemodialysis
Depa Putri Wiyanjani1, Yanuardi Raharjo2, and Yusuf Wibisono1, Nimatul Izza1*

1 Department of Biosystem Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia
2 Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia

*Email: izza_nimatul[at]ub.ac.id

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) progressively impairs renal function, reducing the body^s ability to eliminate waste and maintain fluid balance. Hemodialysis, the most common renal replacement therapy, relies on semipermeable membranes to remove uremic toxins. However, conventional membranes often exhibit limited clearance of middle-molecular-weight solutes and suboptimal mechanical and surface properties. This study developed hollow fiber membranes from polyethersulfone (PES) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), incorporating hydroxyapatite (HAp) synthesized from crab shell waste (Portunus pelagicus) to enhance performance. Membranes were fabricated by dry-wet phase inversion with varying HAp concentrations. Characterization included morphology (SEM-EDS), hydrophilicity (water contact angle, water uptake), mechanical properties (tensile strength, elongation, Young^s modulus), and clearance of urea and creatinine. The addition of PVP improved pore uniformity and membrane flexibility, while moderate HAp loading enhanced tensile strength, hydrophilicity, and urea removal efficiency. Excessive HAp content, however, caused particle agglomeration and partial pore blockage, reducing overall performance. Improvements in creatinine clearance were minimal, and both urea and creatinine clearance values remained below clinical standards for effective hemodialysis. Overall, incorporating PVP and HAp enhanced structural integrity and surface characteristics of PES membranes, with the best performance achieved at moderate additive concentrations. Further optimization of HAp particle size, dispersion, and formulation balance is necessary to produce membranes with superior mechanical strength and clinically relevant clearance performance.

Keywords: Chronic Kidney Disease- Hemodialysis- Hollow Fiber Membrane- Hydroxyapatite- Polyethersulfone

Topic: Agricultural and bioprocess engineering