Progress of polyethersulfone composites and their applications in biomedical engineering

Abstract

Polyethersulfone (PES) composites have raised numerous concerns owing to their main use in adsorption and separation related areas. Especially in the application of biomedical engineering, the complementary features of PES and their additive counterparts generally supply a mechanically stable environment, hierarchically porous configuration, biocompatible conditions and improved biofunctions. The formation of PES composites is multitudinous from fabrication strategies to final structures. This review summarizes recent advances in PES composite membranes, microspheres and fibers, while different constructions with different properties are presented. The corresponding applications including hemodialysis, blood perfusion, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, etc. are introduced to elucidate the necessity and practicability of PES composites. Some mechanisms such as anticoagulation and antioxidant by PES composites are illustrated as well. In addition, this article also briefs the challenges and perspectives for the development of PES composites in future artificial organs, as well as hopes to find a reference for the rational design of these promising materials.