Preparation and characterization of polystyrene/Ag core-shell microspheres - A bio-inspired poly(dopamine) approach

► A facile and versatile method is proposed to prepare PS/Ag core-shell microspheres. ► PDA is used as chelating and reducing agent for the formation of catalytic sites (Ag). ► The PS/Ag microspheres show good conductivity and low effective density. ► Hollow Ag microspheres were prepared by removing the PS core through calcination.