A NOVEL CROSS-LINKER FOR UV COPOLYMERIZATION OF N-VINYL PYRROLIDONE AND METHACRYLATES TO GIVE HYDROGELS

Methacryloxyethyl vinyl carbonate, a novel crosslinker containing a vi nyl carbonate and a methacrylate group which is capable of copolymeriz ing N-vinyl pyrrolidone and methacrylates, was prepared. With this cro sslinker, N-vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP) and methacrylates can copolymerize efficiently under strictly UV conditions. It was found that this cros slinker was able to give hydrogels with higher water content, higher t ear strength, and lower modulus, compared to a traditional dimethacryl ate crosslinker. In addition, hydrogel lenses fabricated by UV curing of formulations using this crosslinker were found to be superior to th ose fabricated with established process in terms of optical quality. ( C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.