title: Poly(vinyl alcohol) Hydrogels Reinforced with Nanocellulose for Ophthalmic Applications: General Characteristics and Optical Properties.
abstract: Globally, uncorrected refractive errors are one of the main causes of visual impairment, and contact lenses form an important part of modern day eye care and culture. Several hydrogels with varying physicochemical properties are in use to manufacture soft contact lenses. Hydrogels are generally too soft and reinforcement with appropriate materials is desirable to achieve high water content without compromising mechanical properties. In this study, we have developed a highly transparent macroporous hydrogel with water content >90%, by combining poly(vinyl alcohol) with nanocellulose. Furthermore, the results show that the composite hydrogel has refractive index close to that of water and very good UV-blocking properties.
authors.affiliation: Nanotechnology and Functional Materials, Department of Engineering Sciences, Uppsala University , Box 534, 75121 Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Gopi Krishna
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Tummala
authors.affiliation: Fibre and Polymer Technology and Wallenberg Wood Science Center, School of Chemical Science and Engineering, KTH Royal Institute of Technology , Teknikringen 56-58, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Ramiro
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rojas
authors.affiliation: Nanotechnology and Functional Materials, Department of Engineering Sciences, Uppsala University , Box 534, 75121 Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Albert
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-8105-2317
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mihranyan
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry*; D003261:Contact Lenses; D004548:Elasticity; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D008422:Materials Testing; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol / Q000737:chemistry*; D012031:Refractometry
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020100:Hydrogels; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol; D002482:Cellulose; C109691:microcrystalline cellulose