Rheology modifiers for use in aqueous compositions

The present invention relates to acrylate-based rheology modifiers for use in aqueous compositions having pH of less than or equal to 9 and to the rheologically-modified aqueous compositions, which modifiers contain an emulsion which is prepared by single-stage emulsion polymerization of a C2-C6 alkyl ester of acrylic acid and/or a C1-C6 alkyl ester of methacrylic acid, a monomer chosen from a vinyl-substituted heterocyclic compound containing at least one of a nitrogen or sulfur atom, (meth)acrylamide, a mono- or di- (C1-C4)alkylamino (C1-C4)alkyl (meth)acrylate, a mono or di-(C1-C4)alkylamino (C1-C4)alkyl (meth)acrylamide, and optionally cross-linking monomers and/or associative monomers, in the presence of water, a surfactant, a free-radical initiator and an alcohol selected from C2-C12 linear or branched alcohols, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol and glycerol, or mixtures thereof, and essentially in the absence of a polymeric colloidal stabilizer such as polyvinyl alcohol.