| abstract |
The present invention relates to a rheologically stable aqueous mineral material suspension comprising organic polymers having reduced volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to overcome the problem of contamination as a result of the VOCs. Specifically, the invention provides a rheologically stable aqueous mineral material suspension comprising: a) at least one mineral material, and b) at least one polymer of acrylic and/or methacrylic acid, wherein the at least one polymer of acrylic and/or methacrylic acid - wherein is obtained by polymerization of acrylic and/or methacrylic acid monomer(s) in water using a compound of formula (I) wherein - X represents Li, Na, K or H, and - R represents an alkyl chain comprising 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and wherein the compound of formula (I) is used in an amount of from 0.1 to 2.5 wt%, based on the weight of said monomer(s); - has a weight molecular weight Mw of from 800 to 8000 g/mol; - has a polydispersity index Ip in the range from 2 to 3; and wherein the aqueous mineral material suspension has a content of volatile organic compounds (VOC) of ≤ 20 mg/kg. |