Fluoro-containing particles have been obtained by miniemulsion polymerization of styrene and n-butyl methacrylate in presence of fluorinated monomer mono-fluoroalkyl maleate (MFM) which acts as a surfmer providing efficient stability to obtained dispersion and functionalization of particle surface with fluoro-groups. Increase of the MFM concentration in reaction mixture reduces the particle size and dispersions with narrower particle size distribution can be obtained. Blends of fluorinated latexes with styrene-butadiene copolymer latex were examined with regard to formation of low free energy surfaces. It has been shown that blends containing MFM-functionalized polymeric particles possess more hydrophobic surfaces then similar latex films, where particles prepared by polymerization of expensive fluorinated monomer have been applied. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.