Provided is a quaternary ammonium surfmer and copolymers thereof. The surfmer may have the following general formula (I): N+—R1R2R3R4 (X−), where: R1 and R2 may independently be H or a C1-C3 alkyl, R3 may be a C19+ amidoalkyl group, R4 may be a C3-C6 alkyl having a terminal olefin double bond group, and X may be a halogen. Further provided is a method for synthesizing the quaternary ammonium surfmer, copolymers thereof, and a method for recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation that may include injecting a treatment fluid comprising the quaternary ammonium surfmer or copolymers thereof into the subterranean formation.