| abstract |
A transparent cellulose hydrogel having a transmittance of visible light of not less than 70%/mm and a tensile strength of not less than 10 kg/cm 2 , wherein the hydroxyl groups of cellulose constituting said hydrogel are not chemically crosslinked; and a process for producing a transparent cellulose hydrogel, comprising coagulation and regeneration of cellulose from a cellulose solution using an aqueous solution containing an organic solvent in a proportion of 20-95 wt %. The cellulose hydrogel of the present invention is useful as a raw material of an ophthalmic material, such as soft contact lens, artificial crystal lens, artificial cornea, artificial vitreous body and the like, a carrier of fragrance, and a base of gel and cream, and the like. In addition, the transparent cellulose hydrogel of the present invention has a densely packed and uniform structure, so that it can provide a material of a separation membrane having a small molecular cutoff and high pressure resistance. |