Synthesis of Polymer Materials Containing Platinum Nanoparticles and Their Application for Contact Lenses

Platinum nanoparticles were added to a mixture of HEMA (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), NVP (N-vinyl pyrrolidone) and MMA (methyl methacrylate) in a mould at various concentrations. The resulting mixture was copolymerized by heating at $70^{\circ}C$ for 40 min, $80^{\circ}C$ for 40 min, and $100^{\circ}C$ for 40 min, respectively. The physical properties of contact lens were then measured. The oxygen transmissibility of $9{\sim}15{\times}10^{-9}$ cm/s mL $O_2$/mL ${\times}$ mmHg, water content of 34.22~35.52%, refractive index of 1.432~1.435, visible transmittance of 88.3~91.2% and tensile strength of 0.141~0.152 kgf were obtained. The addition of platinum nanoparticles to the polymer allowed the contact lens to have various colors without artificial coloring agents. The polymer materials satisfied the physical properties required to produce contact lenses, making the material suitable to be applied as a functional material for ophthalmological purposes.

백금 나노입자를 포함한 고분자재료의 합성 및 콘택트렌즈로의 응용

HEMA (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), NVP (N-vinyl pyrrolidone), MMA (methyl methacrylate)가 담긴 몰드에 백금나노입자를 첨가한 후 농도조건을 다양화 하여 $70^{\circ}C$에서 약 40분, $80^{\circ}C$에서 약 40분, $100^{\circ}C$에서 약 40분 동안의 열처리 공정을 각기 거쳐 공중합 하였다. 제조된 콘택트렌즈의 물리적 특성을 측정한 결과, 산소투과율은 $9{\sim}15{\times}10^{-9}$ cm/s mL $O_2$/mL ${\times}$ mmHg, 함수율은 34.22~35.52%, 굴절률은 1.432~1.435, 가시광선 투과율은 88.3~91.2% 그리고 인장강도 값은 0.141~0.152 Kgf을 나타내었다. 제조된 콘택트렌즈는 여러 가지 색을 띠어 인공착색제를 사용하지 않고서도 콘택트렌즈에 착색효과를 나타내었으며, 콘택트렌즈로 사용 가능한 물리적 특성에 부합되어 안 의료용 기능성 소재로의 응용이 충분히 가능할 것으로 판단된다.