N-halamine-based antibacterial polystyrene nanoparticles with different particle size ranged from 91.5 nm to 562.5 nm were facilely fabricated by surfactant-free emulsion polymerization with 5-allyl-barbituric acid served as N-halamine precursor. Effect of experimental parameters such as monomer concentration, initiator concentration, and ionic strength on particle size was investigated systematically. N-halamine-based antibacterial polystyrene nanoparticles showed enhanced antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive species Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative species Pseudomonas aeruginosa compared with bulk powder N-halamine. Biocidal activity of N-halamine-based antibacterial polystyrene nanoparticles can be tailored effectively by tuning particle size. Stability and bactericidal activity of N-halamine-based antibacterial polystyrene nanoparticles was detected as a function of extending period. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.