摘要:
The present invention provide a water-soluble copolymer having alkyl-modified carboxyl groups which is able to produce a neutralized viscous liquid in which although its viscosity is very low when no electrolyte exists, the viscosity greatly increases when electrolytes are added, which has a high viscosity and a high transmittance and which has moist textures without stickiness even in the presence of a relatively high concentration of electrolytes, and a thickening agent comprising the same. More specifically, the present invention provides a water-soluble copolymer having alkyl-modified carboxyl groups which is obtained by polymerizing 100 parts by weight of (meth)acrylic acid, 0.5-5 parts by weight of alkyl (meth)acrylate comprising an alkyl group having a carbon number of 18-24, and 0-0.1 parts by weight of a compound having two or more of ethylenic unsaturated groups, wherein a 1 weight %-neutralized viscous liquid shows a viscosity of 1500 mPa·s or lower and a transmittance of 90 % or higher, and when 0.25-5 parts by weight of sodium chloride is added to 100 parts by weight of the neutralized viscous liquid, the liquid shows a highest viscosity of 15000-40000 mPa·s and a transmittance of 90 % or higher, and a thickening agent comprising the same.