CHED 728 |
| Contact lens research has often focused on flexible hydrophilic materials that also possess good oxygen transport. A compromise in these normally contradictory properties has been obtained with silicone hydrogel contact lenses that are currently being adopted. Polymer structures can be used to control the ionicity and water content of the lens in addition to the surface wettability, flexibility, oxygen permeability and fluid transport. Commercially available silicone hydrogels have reportedly limited the detrimental effects of wearing conventional soft contact lenses for long periods of time. It is our hope that novel silicone hydrogel materials may be useful for these products. To this end, an ether containing silicone, poly(1,1,9,9-tetramethyl-5,10-dioxa-1,9-disiladecane) was synthesized in three steps. First, an alpha,omega-diene ether was prepared from allyl alcohol and allyl chloride. Next, a dimethylchlorosilane was added via hydrosilylation. The resulting chlorosilane was polymerized by simply adding the alpha,omega-chlorosilane to ice water. Crosslinked films were prepared from the resulting polymer mixed with methyltriacetoxysilane. The percent uptake of water of these films was evaluated. In addition, small molecule diffusion was tested using horizontal diffusion cells. |
|
Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Polymer Chemistry
11:00 AM-1:00 PM, Monday, April 7, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Hall A, Poster
Division of Chemical Education |