What are materials that promote or accelerate the curing of drying oil paints by promoting oxygen absorption called?

The correct answer is driers, which are substances added to oil-based paints to facilitate the curing process through the absorption of oxygen. These materials significantly enhance the drying speed of oil paints, allowing for quicker handling and application. Driers typically contain metal salts that catalyze the oxidation reaction, which is essential for the polymerization of the oil. This oxidation process transforms the liquid oil into a solid film, effectively making the paint adhere to surfaces.

The other options, while related to painting materials, serve different functions. Thinners are used to reduce the viscosity of paints for application but do not assist in drying or curing. Emulsifiers help to stabilize mixtures of water and oil in paint but do not directly influence the drying process of oil paints. Binders are the components in paint that hold pigments together and allow the paint to adhere to surfaces, but they also do not specifically accelerate the curing of drying oils. Understanding the roles of these materials is essential for effective paint application and achieving desired results.