Biocompatible charcoal composites prepared by ionic liquids for drug detoxification

Enhanced triglyceride adsorption by steam-activated bamboo charcoal based on molecular dynamics investigations

In this study, ordinary bamboo charcoal was activated at 750 °C with a steam flow rate of 6.25 L/min for 1.5 h. The effects of triglyceride adsorption by activated bamboo charcoal were investigated using an orthogonal design, and the adsorption mechanism was explored through molecular dynamics. Experimental results revealed that the adsorption capacity of activated bamboo charcoal for triglycerides reached 27.0%. The activated bamboo charcoal exhibited a specific surface area of 560.0 m2/g. The average pore diameter of activated bamboo charcoal was 1.6 nm, whereas that of ordinary bamboo charcoal was 7.2 nm. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed an interaction energy of - 145.12 kcal/mol between the molecular layers of activated bamboo charcoal and the triglyceride molecules, as well as an interaction energy of - 132.73 kcal/mol between the molecular layers of ordinary bamboo charcoal and the triglyceride molecules. The quantity of triglyceride molecules adsorbed by activated bamboo charcoal per gram was estimated to be 1.77 × 1021 while ordinary bamboo charcoal could adsorb merely 1.56 × 1019 triglyceride molecules per gram. This stark contrast in adsorption capacity underscores the superior performance of activated bamboo charcoal than its counterpart.

Biopolymer-Based Composite Materials Prepared Using Ionic Liquids

Biopolymer-based composite materials have many potential applications in biomedical, pharmaceutical, environmental, biocatalytic, and bioelectronic fields, owing to their inherent biocompatibility and biodegradability. When used as solvents, ionic liquids can be used to fabricate biopolymers such as polysaccharides and proteins into various forms, including molded shapes, films, fibers, and beads. This article summarizes the processes for preparing biopolymer-based composite materials using ionic liquids. The processes include biopolymer dissolution using ionic liquids, regeneration of the biopolymer by an anti-solvent, formation of shapes, and drying of the regenerated biopolymer. In particular, the preparation and applications of biopolymer blend-based composite materials containing two or more biopolymers are addressed.

Adsorption of doxorubicin on poly(methyl methacrylate)-chitosan-heparin-coated activated carbon beads

Extracorporeal filter cartridges, filled with an activated carbon bead (ACB) adsorbent, have been used for removal of overdosed cancer drugs from the blood. Coatings on adsorbent matrices, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/activated carbon bead and PMMA/chitosan/heparin/ACB composites, were tested to improve their biocompatibility and blood compatibility. PMMA coating on ACBs was accomplished in a straightforward manner using a PMMA solution in ethyl acetate. A one-step hybrid coating of ACBs with PMMA-anticoagulant heparin required the use of acetone and water co-solvents. Multilayer coatings with three components, PMMA, chitosan, and heparin, involved three steps: PMMA was first coated on ACBs; chitosan was then coated on the PMMA-coated surface; and finally, heparin was covalently attached to the chitosan coating. Surface morphologies were studied by scanning electron microscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the -SO(3)(-) group. Adsorption, of a chemotherapy drug (doxorubicin) from both water and phosphate-buffered saline, by the coated ACBs was examined. The adsorption isotherm curves were fitted using the Freundlich model. The current adsorption system might find potential applications in the removal of high-dose regional chemotherapy drugs while maintaining high efficiency, biocompatibility, and blood compatibility.