Abstract: | This study deals with the influence of a copolymerizable surfactant on the stability of lattices. Two main reactive surfactants, one anionic and one nonionic, both containing a reactive part issued from maleic anhydride, were engaged in seeded emulsion polymerizations of styrene‐co‐butyl acrylate‐co‐acrylic acid. The importance of the polymerization conditions clearly appears through the incorporation yield of the surfmers: When good conditions are used, this yield can be as high as 80%. Once stable lattices are synthesized, with a great incorporation of the surfactant, the stability of the colloid (against freeze–thawing cycles or in the presence of concentrated divalent electrolyte solutions) is then largely improved. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 2768–2776, 2000 |