While molecular level interactions between sulfonate groups of sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate (SDOSS) and COOH groups in styrene/n-butyl acrylate/methacrylate acid (Sty/n-BA/MAA) copolymer particles have been the subject of our earlier studies, the main focus of this work is to establish how MAA groups affixed to polymer latex particle surfaces will affect SDOSS mobility in Sty/n-BA/MAA latex films. The ultimate objective is to develop a series of model systems simulating the degree of neutralization of polymer surfaces and how it may alter polymer contractions and release of entropically attached molecules to interfacial regions. These studies show that the release of SDOSS molecules from MAA containing Sty/n-BA particles is attributed to two factors: (1) entropic effect, due to increased compatibility resulting from surfactant penetration into latex particle surfaces and (2) enhanced particle out-layer glass transition temperature (Tg) The SDOSS release is inhibited when surface neutralization levels are 0-25%, but at higher degrees of neutralization (50-100%), excessive SDOSS exudation to the film-air (F-A) interface of a film is observed. This behavior is attributed to the displacement of SDOSS molecules from MAA-containing latex particles during film formation as a result of the conversion of potential surface energy into mechanical movement when ionic bonds are broken. Thus, the simultaneous presence of p-MAA and SDOSS at the particle surfaces make them act as polyelectrolytes, responding to chemical changes, and during film formation, ionomeric species containing SO3-Na+-COO-Na+ entities near the F-A interface are formed.