Design of functional hollow fiber membranes modified with phospholipid polymers for application in total...

In this study, we prepared cellulose acetate (CA) hollow fiber membranes (HFMs) modified with poly (2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC)-co-n-butyl methacrylate)(PMB30 and PMB80) by the dry-jet wet spinning process. The physical and chemical structures of the HFMs were controlled in order to design highly functional HFMs that had suitable performance to each targeting HFM device used in a total hemopurification system. The CA HFMs modified with the MPC polymer, such as CA/PMB30, CA/PMB80, and CA/PMB30-80 HFMs, were successfully prepared by controlling the spinning conditions. The modified HFMs showed an improved performance in solute and water permeability, due to the modification by the hydrophilic MPC polymers. The CA/PMB30 and CA/PMB80 showed a high potential in an application for a high performance hemocompatible plasmapheresis and hemofilter device. Furthermore, CA/PMB30-80 HFM, modified asymmetrically with PMB30 and PMB80, showed a potential for application in an advanced total hemopurification system as a highly functional scaffold for a biohybrid renal tubule, or a liver assist bioreactor device, because of their enhanced permeability, hemocompatibility, and cytocompatibility.