Preparation And Pilot Study Of New Ophthalmology Material Through Sol-Gel Process Followed By Free-radical Polymerization With Low Volume Shrinkage

A fast sot-gel process of TEOS and HEMA followed by free-radical polymerization of the acrylate monomer was utilized to produce a series of polyacrylates-silica hybrid biomaterials with significant low volume shrinkages. The mechanical properties of the hybrid materials were controlled by varying the molar ratio of TEOS to HEMA and adding MMA and BMA. The conformations and physical properties of the new materials were analyzed. A series of mechanical properties studies were performed. The effect from changing the ratio of starting materials, acidity and amount of water added were studied. The test results showed that the hybrid materials had high transmittance (>95%), good flexibility, water content rate from 17.02% to 33.56%, tensile strength from 0.24Mpa to 2.53Mpa and fracture elongation rate from 24% to 140% depending on different HEMA content. The hybrid materials showed good biocompatibility through biological studies and cell culture study and may be considered as ideal ophthalmology material.