Poly(methyl methacrylate) microcapsules have been prepared using the solvent evaporation technique with poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) as dispersant. The charge, swelling and desorption of PMAA from the microcapsules after treating the suspension with base have been followed using microelectrophoresis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring on model PMMA surfaces. Basic treatment of the microcapsule suspension leads to temporary colloidal stability through the introduction of charges on the PMAA chain. However, the increase in charge causes a continuous desorption of PMAA from the microcapsule surface, eventually leading to aggregation. If instead poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) is added to the base treated microcapsule suspension, good colloidal stability is obtained. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.