Predictive and Explainable Modeling of Dialysis Membranes: Linking Structure–Surface Modifiers to Transport Mechanisms, Fouling Behavior, and Mass Transfer Resistances Publisher

Summary: Can modified dialysis membranes clear urea better? Modeling found antioxidant modifiers especially influential for clearance and water flux; clinical gains remain untested. #Dialysis #Biomaterials

Hosseini Semnani F S ; Homayoonfal M ; Zadhoush F
Source: Results in Engineering Published:2026

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) highlights the ongoing need to improve dialyzer performance by enhancing clearance, biocompatibility, and reducing fouling. In this study, four types of membrane modifiers (pore forming (PF), antioxidant (AO), antifouling (AF), and anticoagulant (AC)) were evaluated for their effects on structural and functional properties. Incorporation of PF increased porosity by 9% and promoted uniform pore distribution, reducing flux decline by 11% and improving long-term stability. AO, by enlarging pore size and enhancing antioxidant properties, achieved the greatest performance improvement, increasing urea clearance by 16%, water flux by 19%, convective contribution by 28%, and lowering membrane mass-transfer resistance by 27%. AF reduced surface roughness, decreased protein adsorption by 50%, stabilized flux, and lowered total resistance by 18%. Similarly, AC enhanced flow uniformity and biocompatibility by decreasing contact resistance with blood and dialysate by 6.7% and 4.2%, respectively. Despite these improvements, the influence of these modifiers on fouling mechanisms, water and urea flux, clearance, and mass transfer resistances had not been comprehensively examined. To address this, modeling and sensitivity analyses were performed. Comparison with classical mass transfer models indicated that PF and AC created more uniform structures, enhancing diffusion stability and reducing deviation, while AO and AF increased porosity and widened transport pathways, promoting convective and diffusive transfer. Pareto and SHAP analyses highlighted the dominant role of AO in urea clearance and water flux. Overall, concurrent modification of membrane surface and structure improved filtration outcomes and provided deeper mechanistic insight, while modeling yielded higher predictive accuracy than previous studies. © 2026 The Authors.