Monodispersed soap-free poly(methyl methacrylate/ethyl acrylate/methacrylic acid) latex particles were synthesized by the seeded emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate, ethyl acrylate, and methacrylic acid (MAA), and particles with a porous morphology were obtained after an alkali posttreatment. The effects of the unsaturated acid and crosslinking agent on the properties and morphology of the latex particles were investigated. The results showed that the particle size decreased and its distribution widened when the concentration of MAA was greater than 10.0 mol % or the concentration of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) was greater than 1.5%. When more than 4.0 mol % MAA was used, a porous structure could be detected clearly under a transmission electron microscope, and the particle volume and pore size first gradually increased to a maximum and then decreased rapidly with an increase in the MAA concentration. The porous morphology disappeared completely as the MAA concentration reached 16.0 mol %. A multihollow morphology was generated when the EGDMA concentration exceeded 1.0%, and the particle volume decreased monotonously with the concentration of EGDMA increased. (c) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.