Poly(ether sulfone)/activated carbon (PESAC) hybrid beads, with various proportions of activated carbon (AC) or amounts of added propylene glycol (PG), were prepared with a liquid-liquid phase-separation technique. The specific surface area, porosity, diameter, and pore volume of the prepared beads were characterized. The adsorption of creatinine from a Tyrode buffer solution (pH 7.4) on different PES-AC hybrid beads was investigated through batch experiments at 25 degrees C. The experimental results suggested that creatinine adsorption was enhanced by an increase in the AC or PG proportion added during the preparation of the PES-AC hybrid beads. The mass-transfer model was applied to the experimental data for the analysis of the kinetic results. The experimental creatinine adsorption isotherms were adequately fitted with both Langmuir and Freundlich equations. Tests of the hemolysis ratio and protein adsorption were carried out. The results showed that the hemotysis ratio of the prepared beads was lower than 5%. The adsorption of creatinine was affected by the presence of serum albumin but not significantly enough to hinder its applications in blood purification. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.