AMPHIPHILIC COPOLYMERS AS SURFACE MODIFIERS FOR PRODUCTION OF IMPROVED CALCIUM CARBONATE POWDERS

摘要

This disclosure describes a process for producing a surface-modified calcium carbonate, the process comprising contacting a calcium carbonate or precursor thereof with at least one amphiphilic copolymer comprising hydrophilic subunits and hydrophobic subunits, in which the hydrophilic subunits derive from at least one ethylenically-unsaturated compound comprising a carboxylic acid group or salt or derivative thereof;the hydrophobic subunits derive from at least one ethylenically-unsaturated compound comprising a hydrophobic group; and the amphiphilic copolymer has a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance ranging from about 1 to about 40. Surface-modified calcium carbonates obtained from the process are also described, as well as compositions containing the surface-modified calcium carbonates.