Polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate
| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name
Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) | |
| Other names
PHEMA, poly-HEMA, Hydron | |
| Identifiers | |
| ChemSpider |
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PubChem CID |
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CompTox Dashboard (EPA) |
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| Properties | |
| (C6H10O3)n | |
| Molar mass | Variable |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references | |
Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) is a polymer that forms a hydrogel in water. Poly (hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) hydrogel for intraocular lens (IOL) materials was synthesized by solution polymerization using 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) as raw material, ammonium persulfate and sodium pyrosulfite (APS/SMBS) as catalyst, and triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) as cross-linking additive. It was invented by Drahoslav Lim and Otto Wichterle for biological use. Together they succeeded in preparing a cross-linking gel which absorbed up to 40% of water, exhibited suitable mechanical properties and was transparent. They patented this material in 1953.