The synthesis of polystyrene or poly(methyl methacrylate) in the presence of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), a cellulose derivative, was carried out by emulsion polymerization using a cationic surfactant, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). First, the complex formation between CTAB and CMC was studied by surface tension measurements. The polymerization condition chosen was that corresponding to CMC chains fully saturated with CTAB and to the onset of pure surfactant micelle formation, namely, at 0.25 mmol L-1 CTAB and 1.0 g L-1 CMC. The hybrid particles were characterized by xi potential and light scattering measurements and scanning electron microscopy. All dispersions were stable in the ionic strength of 2.0 mol L-1 NaCl at least for 4 days. The colloidal stability was attributed to the presence of a hydrated CMC layer around the particles. The present procedure brings the advantage of synthesizing and stabilizing particles with functional groups on the surface in a one-step method using very small amounts of surfactant, a friendly condition for the environment.