Structured latex particles with a slightly crosslinked poly(styrene-n-butyl acrylate) (PSB) core and a poly (styrene-methacrylate-vinyl triethoxide silane) (PSMV) shell were prepared by seed emulsion polymerization, and the latex particle structures were investigated with Fourier transform infrared, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, transmission electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering. The films that were formed from the structured core (PSB)-shell (PSMV) particles under ambient conditions had good water repellency and good tensile strength in comparison with films from structured core (PSB)-shell [poly(styrene-methyl methyacrylate)] latex particles; this was attributed to the self-crosslinking of CH2=CH-Si(OCH2CH3)(3) in the outer shell structure. The relationship between the particle structure and the film properties was also investigated in this work. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.