This study aims to confirm the applicability of a contact lens by manufacturing a high-functional porous hydrogel containing a blowing agent and examining its properties. In addition, the physical properties according to the type and content of the blowing agent in the hydrogel were compared. Hydrogel contact lenses were prepared using 1% and 3% sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate and potassium bicarbonate as blowing agent, respectively. Light transmittance, water content, refractive index, oxygen permeability, contact angle, protein adsorption were measured for physical and chemical properties. As the amount of blowing agent increased, the water content, wettability, and oxygen permeability increased, but the refractive index and tensile strength decreased. The adsorption amount of protein also decreased as the amount of blowing agent increased. The hydrogel added with the foaming agent maintained the basic optical properties of the contact lens, and it was confirmed that it could be applied to the contact lens because it was very excellent in moisture content, oxygen permeability, and wettability.

본 연구에서는 발포제가 포함된 고기능의 다공성 하이드로젤을 제조하고 특성을 조사하여 콘택트렌즈로의 응용성을 확인하였다. 그리고 하이드로젤에 들어가는 발포제의 종류와 함량에 따른 물성도 비교하였다. 발포제로 각각 1% 및 3% 탄산나트륨, 탄산수소나트륨, 탄산칼륨 및 중탄산칼륨을 사용하여 하이드로젤 콘택트렌즈를 제조하였다. 물리화학적 특성은 광투과율, 수분함량, 굴절률, 산소투과도, 접촉각, 단백질 흡착을 측정하였다. 발포제의 함량이 증가할수록 수분함량, 습윤성, 산소투과성은 증가하고 굴절률과 인장강도는 감소하였다. 발포제의 양이 증가함에 따라 단백질의 흡착량도 감소하였다. 발포제를 첨가한 하이드로젤은 콘택트렌즈의 기본 광학적 물성을 유지하였으며, 함수율, 산소투과도, 습윤성 등이 매우 우수하여 콘택트렌즈에 적용 가능함을 확인하였다.

Keywords: contact lens, porous hydrogel, blowing agent, wettability, oxygen permeability.