BA-MMA-POMA copolymer latex was successfully prepared by soap-free emulsion polymerization of 2-(perfluoro-(1,1-bisisopropyl)-2-propenyl)oxyethyl methacrylate(POMA) with butyl acrylate(BA), methyl methacrylate (MMA) initiated by K(2)S(2)O(8) in the water. POMA was synthesized from the intermediate perfluoro nonene and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate as the staring reactants. The structure of BA-MMA-POMA copolymer latex was investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The characteristics of the film such as hydrophobicity and glass transition temperature were characterized with the contact angle and differential scanning calorimetry respectively. The influences of the amount of the fluorinated monomer and the initiator on the soap-free emulsion polymerization and performance of the latex were studied. In addition, comparison with the latex prepared by the conventional emulsifier SDBS is investigated. Results show that the hydrophobicity and glass transition temperature (T(g)) of the latex are increased when the fluorinated monomer is introduced to copolymerize with other monomers. The hydrophobicity can be improved further with heating. Compared with the latices prepared by using SDBS emulsifier, the latices prepared by using HMPS emulsifier have larger particle size, higher surface tension. However, the difference of their T(g) is extremely minute. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 122: 819-826, 2011