Hierarchical carbon materials with tuned porosity have shown to selectively, quickly, and completely adsorb and remove pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, from the blood serum. The fast and complete removal of cytokines associated with cytokine release syndrome (CRS) due to COVID-19 may prevent uncontrolled inflammatory cascade, which increases the risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and multiple organ failures.

• graphene with open and accessible surfaces