Ophthalmic Hydrogel Contact Lens Material Containing Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles and 3-(Trifluoromethyl)styrene for Biomedical Application

Abstract

This research was conducted for the synthesis and application of ophthalmic lens materials with improved oxygen permeability and durability. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (NVP), 3-(trifluoromethyl)styrene (3-TFMSt), and magnesium oxide nanoparticles were used as additives for the basic combination of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). Additionally, the materials were copolymerized with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as the cross-linking agent and azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as the initiator. The addition of magnesium oxide nanoparticles was found to increase the tensile strength from 0.0631 to 0.0842 kgf/mm2. Copolymerization with a small amount of 3-TFMSt of about 1% increased the tensile strength to 0.1506 kgf/mm2 and the oxygen permeability from 6.00 to 9.64 (cm2/s)∙(mLO2/mL·mmHg)∙10−11. The contact lens material produced using N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone and magnesium oxide nanoparticles as additives satisfied the basic physical properties required for hydrogel contact lenses and is expected to be used usefully as a material for fabricating high-performance hydrogel lenses.