Ștefan VOICU
Stefan Ioan Voicu is Professor and Head of Department of Analytical Chemistry and Environmental Engineering at the Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest and Associate Member of the Academy of Romanian Scientists.
He started his career in 2005, with a Bachelor in Organic Chemistry (from 2005), Ph.D. in Polymeric Membranes (from 2008), and Habilitation in Chemical Engineering (from 2016). He published 15 books and book chapters (Wiley, Springer Nature, Elsevier), >100 peer reviewed scientific papers with Hirsch index 45, total number of citations 6200+.
The main research interests are related to polymeric membranes for biomedical applications with outstanding contributions in the field of surface functionalization methods for hemodialysis and osseointegration and polymeric membranes for water purification (first report in literature for membranes with self-indicating properties, that change the colorsurface during filtration process). Except academic activity, Prof. Voicu has also experience in the field of industrial research, being for two years Research Scientist at Honeywell Automation and Control Solutions, Sensors Laboratory with 3 granted US Patents (US 7,695,993 B2, US 7,867,552 B2, US 7,913,541 B2) developed in the field of metallic surface functionalization for SAW chemical sensors. He served as editor at different prestigious publishing houses, like Elsevier or Springer Nature.
Abstract
From Porous Polymeric Films to Artificial Kidney - A Historical and Clinical Journey of Hemodialysis Membranes
Stefan Ioan Voicu1, 2, 3
1 Department of Analytical Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, 1-7 Gheorghe Polizu, 011061 Bucharest, Romania; stefan.voicu@upb.ro
2 Advanced Polymer Materials Group, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, Romania
3 Academy of Romanian Scientists, 54 Splaiul Independentei Street, District 5, 050094 Bucharest, Romania
Introduction. The field of membrane materials is one of the most dynamic due to the continuously changing requirements regarding the selectivity and the upgradation of the materials developed with the constantly changing needs. Two membrane processes are essential at present, not for development, but for everyday life—desalination and hemodialysis. Hemodialysis has preserved life and increased life expectancy over the past 60–70 years for tens of millions of people with chronic kidney dysfunction. In addition to the challenges related to the efficiency and separative properties of the membranes, the biggest challenge remained and still remains the assurance of hemocompatibility—not affecting the blood during its recirculation outside the body for 4 h once every two days [1].
Experimental. Different membrane materials will be presented like plasma modified polyether sulfone membranes functionalized with crown ethers [2] or polysulfone composite membranes with graphene oxide functionalized with crown ethers [3].
Results and Discussion. The synthesis procedures, as well as main analysis methods are presented and discussed. For all synthesized membrane materials, fully morphological and structural characterisation, as well as water flows and main interest molecules retention for hemodialysis (urea, uric acid and creatinine) has been determined and will be presented and discussed.
Conclusions. Future directions related to new functionalized membrane systems, use of new bioactive compounds or latest achievements related to microfluidics technology combined with polymeric membranes will be presented at the end.
References.
[1] Radu, E.R.; Voicu, S.I. Functionalized Hemodialysis Polysulfone Membranes with Improved Hemocompatibility. Polymers 2022, 14, 1130.
[2] Oprea, M.; Pandele, A.M.; Enachescu, C.I.; Antoniac, I.V.; Voicu, S.I.; Fratila, A.M. Crown Ether-Functionalized Polyethersulfone Membranes with Potential Applications in Hemodialysis. Polymers 2025, 17, 2184.
[3] Pandele, A.M.; Oprea, M.; Dutu, A.A.; Miculescu, F.; Voicu, S.I. A Novel Generation of Polysulfone/Crown Ether-Functionalized Reduced Graphene Oxide Membranes with Potential Applications in Hemodialysis. Polymers 2022, 14, 148.
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