Macro-azo-initiators (MAIs) containing poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) units wer
e modified by esterification of their hydroxyl end groups with methacryloyl
chloride. Modified MAIs were used to initiate the polymerization of 2-hydr
oxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) with crosslinking. The effect of the amount an
d molecular weight of modified MAIs on the water absorption of poly(2-hydro
xyethyl methacrylate) hydrogels prepared with their use were determined.