A Review of Diverse Membrane Materials for Haemodialysis

The kidney is a principal organ of the body which clarifies the uremic toxins and other metabolites from the blood. It can start malfunctioning due to various health conditions, in which case the process of extracorporeal blood purification – the haemodialysis – comes into focus. An efficient membrane is the heart of any dialysis technique. Selection of a proper dialysis membrane relies mainly on the material biocompatibility, toxin rejection, and antifouling profile. Many bio-derived polymers such as chitosan, cellulose acetate, and polylactic acid have been found to be attractive in terms of outstanding cytocompatibility. The existing low-range mechanical robustness of bio-derived polymeric substrates can be facilitated by the immobilization of membrane through use of nanoparticles. Polyetherimide, polyether sulfone, poly(vinylidene fluoride), and polysulfone which belong to the synthetic polymers are also utilized as dialysis membrane materials. Modifiers or nanostructured particles such as bioactive glass, anticoagulant-natured heparin, some copolymers, graphene oxide, and many more are incorporated into a membrane for its integration in terms of cytocompatibility, hydrophilicity, selective rejection, good permeation. and antifouling characteristics. The membrane–blood compatibility is assessed with respect to the lowered adhesion of platelets and proteins, long durable plasma recalcification time, reduced thrombus formation, and haemolysis proportion. A wide variety of polymer recipes have been developed for the fabrication of haemodialysis membranes. This chapter traces the various distinctive attempts made by researchers that have been appreciable in developing a potent haemodialysis membrane set-up.