Effects of Ag/Pt nanoparticles on the physical properties of copolymers containing 2-fluoro-5-methylanisole

The ophthalmic materials must satisfy the optical requirements, physical and chemical stability and fulfill biological requirements, such as biocompatibility to be used in hydrogel ophthalmic lenses. Polymeric materials for hydrogel lenses were prepared by the copolymerization of HEMA, NVP, MMA, EGDMA and FMA in the presence of antibacterial Ag and Pt nanoparticles and also the effect of these copolymers containing nanoparticles on oxygen transmissibility was then investigated. The combination where AgNPs were added produced a light-yellowish colored transparent ophthalmic lens. The copolymers containing Ag and Pt nanoparticles did not have significant impact on the water content and refractive index of the hydrogel contact lens, but the Ag/Pt nanoparticles reduced oxygen permeability to a certain extent. Furthermore, the spectral transmittance significantly decreased. The additive, 2-fluoro-5-methylanisole, did not effect significantly on the physical properties of the polymer, but it was able to block UV light to a certain extent. The water content and oxygen permeability slightly increased as the amount of FMAs increased.