Two-component polymer solutions [i.e., poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) and poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP)] were prepared through solution polymerization. The complex system PMAA/PVP was obtained through the mixing of a PMAA solution and a PVP solution in different volume ratios at certain concentrations. The properties of the component solutions and the complex system were investigated with transmittance, surface tension, and viscosity measurements. The results showed that the properties of the complex system were related not only to the ratio of PMAA to PVP but also to the concentration of the PMAA and PVP solutions. (c) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, hic.