Synthesis and Biocompatibility of Silicone Hydrogel Functionalized with Polysaccharide

A novel methacrylated polydimethylsiloxane ( mPDMS ) was synthesized for the preparation of silicone hydrogel ( SiHy ). The SiHy was functionalized with polysaccharides such as hyaluronic acid and alginic acid by construction of an interpenetrating polymer network ( IPN ) structure composed of cross‐linked SiHy backbones and polysaccharide networks. We investigated the protein adsorption resistance, toxicity, wettability, optical transparency, and surface property of the SiHy . The synthesized SiHy exhibited the transmittance of over 90% and the improved surface hydrophilicity. Importantly, the amount of protein adsorbed on the polysaccharide‐functionalized SiHy decreased significantly compared with unmodified SiHy . These results suggest that polysaccharide‐modified SiHy may offer potential for ophthalmic materials as well as antibiofouling coating materials.