A series of reactive surfactants were synthesized by the reaction of hydrophilic poly(oxyethylene)diamines of 2000-6000 g/mol molecular weight and diglycidylether of bisphenol-A resin. The synthesized surfactants consisted of multiple functionalities including tertiary amines, hydrophobic alkylphenoxys, and reactive oxirane groups. After treatment with hydrochloric acid, the surfactants consisted of two different hydrophilic groups: cationic quaternary ammonium salts and nonionic oxyethylene segments. By prudent selection of the proper hydrophile-lipo-phile balance, the surfactant can be highly effective for solubilizing the epoxy resin in water to form a stable emulsion at a fine particle size of 350 nm. Another advantage is that the surfactant may participate in a curing process through the built-in oxirane reaction and become a nonextractable component in polymer matrix. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.