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UV-VIS Curable PEG Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications with Multifunctionality
Sabel-Grau, Tina; Tyushina, Arina; Babalik, Cigdem; Lensen, Marga C.
Multifunctional biomedical materials capable of integrating optical functions are highly desirable for many applications, such as advanced intra-ocular lens (IOL) implants. Therefore, poly(ethylene glycol)-diacrylate (PEG-DA) hydrogels are used with different photoinitiators (PI). In addition to standard UV PI Irgacure, Erythrosin B and Eosin Y are used as PI with high sensitivity in the optical range of the spectrum. The minimum PI concentrations for producing new hydrogels with PEG-DA and different PIs were determined. Hydrogel films were obtained, which were applicable for light-based patterning and, hence, the functionalization of surface and volume. Cytotoxicity tests confirm cytocompatibility of hydrogels and compositions. Exploiting the correlation of structure and function allows biomedical materials with multifunctionality.
