Microwave‐assisted Synthesis of Poly(methacrylic acid) Particles for Blood Purification

Abstract A new method is introduced for the rapid synthesis of poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) macroparticles via microwave irradiation, optimizing the ratio of monomer to crosslinker to finely tailor the particles’ characteristics. In the study, the characteristics of these particles have been analyzed extensively, and their potential efficacy in blood purification applications has been explored. They are demonstrating significant potential for cation removal from dialysate and blood. The PMAA particles with the lower crosslinker concentration exhibited superior cation removal efficiency, achieving 80.8% for calcium, 9.9% for potassium, and 9.9% for sodium ions from dialysate solution over a period of 4 h. Blood compatibility assessments, encompassing protein adsorption and clotting time, showed the particles' hemocompatibility. The exceptional physical and mechanical attributes of the PMAA particles are positioned as promising candidates for use as absorbents in dialysis and hemoperfusion processes. Furthermore, their versatility extends beyond blood purification, marking their relevance in broader applications such as water treatment.