Hollow SiO(2) nanospheres with diameter ranging from 50 to 70 nm were obtained by the template method. The core-shell structured hollow nano-SiO(2)@poly(methyl acrylate) nanoparticles and nano-SiO(2)@poly(methyl acrylate) nanoparticles/poly(methyl acrylate) composites were prepared by seed emulsion polymerization. The results indicated that the SiO(2) nanoparticles showed good dispersion stability, and their compatibility with the polymer matrix was improved noticeably. The mechanical property, dynamic mechanical property and rigidity of the latex films were greatly improved when the content of silica in the composites was small. Moreover, it was found that the damping capacity could only be improved when hollow SiO(2) was covalently bonded to poly(methyl acrylate) matrix. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.