ABSTRACT In hemodialysis, effective removal of uremic toxins can drastically improve the time required and efficiency of the hemodialysis membrane. Therefore, we recommend novel interconnected self‐assembled membranes to ensure improved separation, better transport, and mechanical strength. Nexar is an amphiphilic penta‐block sulfonated copolymer with rigid end‐blocks that provide mechanical stability to the membrane. Nexar can form a long range of self‐assembled and ordered nanoscale morphologies that can be altered by the choice of polar or non‐polar solvent, as both solvents offer different morphologies. Polar solvents form ordered hydrophilic structures of width about 20 nm that help in the clearance of urea and creatinine, while non‐polar solvents offer random hydrophobic arrangement. The polymer was widely used for dehumidification and metal and ion removal from water. However, the polymer is being used for hemodialysis for the first time. The membranes are tested on dead‐end filtration cells for toxin removal and then for hemocompatibility via biocompatibility testing. The use of polar solvent increases the creatinine and urea clearance as well as the BSA rejection when compared with the non‐polar solvent membrane. The polar solvent is more suitable for hemodialysis as its ordered structure and assembly facilitate the clearance process.
Zahid et al. (Tue,) studied this question.