Biocompatible charcoal composites prepared by ionic liquids for drug detoxification

Cellulose/charcoal and cellulose/heparin/charcoal composites were fabricated using ionic liquids to enhance the biocompatibility of charcoal and decrease the size of their active pores. Surface morphological studies of these biocompatible charcoal composites showed that their uniformly coated surfaces could inhibit the adsorption of proteins while allowing the removal of small drug molecules. The activated partial thromboplastin time demonstrated that heparinized surfaces on the cellulose/heparin/charcoal composite had excellent blood compatibility. These charcoal composites can be useful for the rapid and safe removal of small and hydrophobic drugs from the digestive system of overdose patients by circulating blood in an extracorporeal circuit.