Surface-hydrophilic and protein-resistant tris(trimethylsiloxy)-3-methacryloxypropylsilane-containing polymer by the introduction of phosphorylcholine groups

Poly 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine-co-tris(trimethylsiloxy)-3-methacryloxypropylsilane (PHMT) terpolymer was synthesized in order to evaluate the potential of this polymer to be used as contact lens material. The phosphorylcholine unit played an important role in the terpolymer: increasing both the surface hydrophilicity and the anti-biofouling properties of the original material. Water contact angle measurements suggested that the phosphorylcholine head groups could rearrange on the upper surface of the TRIS containing polymer in the water environment, improving the wettability of the surface. Compared with poly 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-tris(trimethylsiloxy)-3-methacryloxypropylsilane (PHT) membrane, lower protein adsorption was observed on the surface of PHMT polymer. As observed by AFM, smooth surface was formed by spin coating method from the terpolymer solution. And the oxygen transmissibility (Dk/t) of the terpolymer PHMT was 64 barrer/mm. The equilibrium water content reached 63%, much higher than the polymers without MPC unit, which may offer comfortable wear feeling. Moreover, PHMT films exhibited high transparency in the visible light wave range (relatively constant at approximately 94%).