Synthesis and Physical Properties of Ophthalmic Copolymer Containing 4-fluorostyrene

Abstract

ABSTRACT. This study used 4-fluorostyrene with the cross-linker EGDMA (ethylene glycol dimethacrylate), HEMA (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and the initiator AIBN (azobisisobutyronitrile) for copolymerization. Measurement of the physical properties of the copolymerized polymer showed that the water content was 19.98 ~ 31.08%, refractive index 1.443 ~ 1.475, visible transmittance 87 ~ 93% and tensile strength 0.246 ~ 0.311 kgf while the contact angle showed a distribution between 54.14 o and 66.95 o . Therefore, the ophthalmic material produced using 4-fluorostyrene satisfied the basic physical properties required for contact lenses and also showed an increase in wettability and refractive index while having no significant change in water content with relation to styrene. Based on the results of this study, the produced copolymer is suitable for use as a material to high refractive index and wettability contact lenses. Keywords