We have investigated the adsorption equilibrium of selected cyclodextrins onto activated carbons. A number of parameters were examined including the type of carbon material, the size of macrocyclic cavity, and the chemical nature of the oligosaccharide (e.g., neutral, anionic, or cationic cyclodextrin). Adsorption isotherm studies revealed that the maximum amount of cyclodextrin immobilized on the carbon surface is obtained for the native p-CD, while the adsorption capacity of the ionic cyclodextrins derivatives strongly depends on the net surface charge of the activated carbon. The affinity of cyclodextrins for activated carbons was further utilized to prepare modified activated carbons containing controlled amounts of cyclodextrins through an adsorption process. The resulting materials were characterized by N-2 adsorption-desorption volumetric measurements. FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, while the quantitative determination of the oligosaccharide content on activated carbons was performed by gravimetric measurements. On the basis of the Turbiscan results, it was found that the chemical structure of cyclodextrins, which are incorporated in the carbon framework, had significant influence on the dispersibility and stabilization of the solid particles in water. Agglomeration and precipitation of the carbon particles were markedly suppressed with substituted cyclodextrins whose hydroxyl groups were partially substituted by methyl or alkylammonium groups. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.