Properties of new sorbents containing activated carbon-PHEMA-PEG

A new immobilized powder activated carbon system was developed. In this approach, highly biocompatible hydrophilic polymer gels, namely polyHEMA and PEG, were used as support. The sorbents were produced by radiation-induced polymerization of HEMA in super-cooled media. The polymer composites obtained by using different ratios of ingredients (HEMA, PEG and AC) and by changing the radiation dose period, were in the form of, almost, spherical black gels having different elasticities. Equilibrium adsorption studies were carried out to evaluate the sorption capacities of both powder and immobilized activated carbon. The comparative performance characteristics of the hemoperfusion columns filled with either granules or immobilized carbons were obtained for creatinine. Fresh human blood was used to study the biocompatibility of immobilized carbon samples. The surface morphology and the pore structure of the gels were evaluated by means of Scanning Electron Microphotography and Optical Microphotography. According to the experimental results, it was concluded that this new type of immobilized activated carbon system seems to be more attractive for hemoperfusion applications due to having comparatively higher adsorption rates and very good blood compatibility as well as simple and uniformly reproducible method of production.