Polystyrene (PS) nanocomposite particles with high titania content are prepared by Pickering emulsion polymerization. A self-made titania hydrosol modified by an anionic monomer sodium styrene sulfonate (NaSS) is used as a stabilizer and photocatalyst. The stability of the emulsion system is greatly improved by the electrostatic interaction between negatively charged NaSS and positively charged titania. nanoparticles. The nanocomposite spheres with the diameter of around 120 nm are highly charged, indicating titania-rich surfaces of latex particles. It is also proven by the field-emission transmission electron microscope and field-emission scanning electron microscope images. The well-defined core-shell structure of the obtained PS/titania composite particles is confirmed by the formation of fragile hollow titania nanospheres after thermogravimetric analysis tests. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 4-7: 5728-5736, 2009