Hydrophilic gels derived from grafted photoinitiators

A method for manufacturing a hydrophilic gel-precursor, said method comprising the steps of

• a. providing a matrix composition consisting of a polymeric photoinitiator of the general formula I:
• Polymer-[CR2—CHR-Spacer(PI)n]m (I)
• wherein
• m is an integer from 1-5000;
• n is a real number above 0 and below 5;
• and
• PI is a photoinitiator moiety;
• the polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyacrylates, polyalkylethers, polyurethanes, polyethylene vinyl acetates, polyvinylpyrrolidone and co-polymers and blends thereof;
• and wherein each R group is a substituent independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C25 linear alkyl, C3-C25 branched alkyl, C3-C25 cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, —OH, —CN, halogens, amines (e.g. —NR′R″, where R′ and R″ are alkyl groups, suitably C1-C25 alkyl groups) and amides (e.g. —CONR′R″ or R′CONR″—, where R′ and R″ are alkyl groups, suitably C1-C25 alkyl groups),
• b. curing the matrix composition obtained in step a. by exposing it to UV radiation.