TITLE:
Revolutionizing Hemodialysis Water Quality: Development and Evaluation of TiO₂ Nanoparticle-Enhanced Microporous Filters
AUTHORS:
Opeyemi Temilade Enang, Bakiyat Oluwagbemisola Azeez, Babatunde Temitope Ogunyemi, Aminah Abolore Sulayman, Dauda Olurotimi Araromi, Morufu Olalekan Raimi
KEYWORDS:
TiO2 Nanoparticles, Hemodialysis, Water Purification, Endotoxin Contamination, Photocatalytic Filtration, Nanotechnology, Microporous Filter, Sol-Gel Synthesis, Microbiological Contaminants, Environmental Remediation
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Nanoparticles,
Vol.14 No.1,
February
25,
2025
ABSTRACT: Rationale: Endotoxin contamination in conventionally purified water poses serious risks to hemodialysis patients, leading to complications such as inflammation and sepsis. Addressing these risks is essential for enhancing patient safety and meeting global dialysis water quality standards. Advanced filtration technologies, such as titanium dioxide (TiO₂)-based nanoparticle filters, offer a promising approach to improve water purification processes in renal care. Objectives: This study aimed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a TiO₂-based nanoparticle microporous filtration system for hemodialysis water purification. The objectives included analyzing the system’s performance in reducing chemical contaminants (calcium, magnesium, aluminum, and lead) and microbiological contaminants (total viable count [TVC] and endotoxin units [EU]) across multiple renal centers. Methods: Water samples from three renal centers (RC1, RC2, and RC3) were analyzed pre- and post-filtration. TiO₂ nanoparticles were synthesized using the sol-gel method and characterized via Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM/EDX). The microporous filter, fabricated with TiO₂ nanoparticles, silicon dioxide, and polyethylene glycol (PEG), was tested for its ability to remove contaminants. Analytical techniques included spectroscopy for chemical analysis and microbiological assays for contaminant quantification. Results: Post-treatment analysis revealed significant reductions in chemical contaminants, with removal efficiencies averaging 78% for calcium, 80% for magnesium, 81% for aluminum, and 76.6% for lead across all centers. Microbiological contamination was also substantially reduced, with 78–80% removal of TVC and 76–84.6% reduction in EU levels. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of hydroxyl groups critical for adsorption, while SEM/EDX characterization revealed a crystalline structure with a particle size of 1.45 nm, pore size of 4.11 μm, filter height of 2.56 mm, and bulk density of 0.58 g/cm³. Conclusion: The TiO₂-based nanoparticle filtration system demonstrated high efficacy in removing chemical and microbiological contaminants, significantly improving water quality for hemodialysis. These results highlight its potential as a practical solution for renal centers, especially in resource-constrained settings. Further studies are needed to evaluate its long-term performance and feasibility for widespread adoption. Recommendation: Renal centers should consider adopting TiO2-based nanoparticle filters to address persistent water quality challenges. Pilot implementations across diverse settings can provide insights into operational feasibility. Additional research should explore scalability, maintenance requirements, and cost-effectiveness to optimize integration into healthcare systems. Significance Statement: This study introduces a practical and innovative solution to improve hemodialysis water purification. By effectively reducing both chemical and microbiological contaminants, the TiO2-based filtration system has the potential to enhance patient safety and outcomes, particularly in settings where maintaining high water quality standards remains challenging.