A process of preparing an aqueous solution of a cycloimide-containing polymer includes heating an aqueous solution of a cycloanhydride-containing polymer with a first neutralizing agent at a ratio of cycloanhydride to neutralizing agent of about 1 : 1 to about 1 : 1.5 at a temperature and for a time sufficient to form the aqueous solution of the cycloimide-containing polymer having a cycloimide to acid group ratio of about 1 :2 to about 1.5:2.