Surface modification of PES membrane via aminolysis and immobilization of carboxymethylcellulose and sulphated carboxymethylcellulose for hemodialysis

Sulphated carboxymethylcellulose (SCMC) was synthesized and characterized via FT-IR and CHNS analysis. The PES membranes were prepared and modified via surface amination with an aminolysis reaction and amount of amino groups was measured. The carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and SCMC were immobilized on the surface of the aminated PES membranes (PES-NH₂) via amide bonds to synthesize PES-CMC and PES-SCMC membranes, respectively, and the concentration of immobilized CMC and SCMC was determined. The unmodified PES, PES-CMC, and PES-SCMC membranes were characterized in terms of morphology, overall porosity, mean pore size, zeta potential, tensile strength, contact angle, protein adsorption and platelet adhesion. The results showed a decrease in contact angle, protein adsorption and platelet adhesion in the case of PES-CMC and PES-SCMC compared to unmodified PES membranes, which supported the increased hemocompatibility of the modified membranes especially for the PES-SCMC membrane. Moreover, the PES-CMC and PES-SCMC membranes displayed good antifouling properties, especially for PES-SCMC.