Preparation of polystyrene/SiO2 microsphere via Pickering emulsion polymerization: Synergistic effect of SiO2 concentrations and initiator sorts

► Polystyrene (PS)/SiO2 microspheres with different morphology were prepared via Pickering emulsion polymerization. ► The formation mechanisms of PS/SiO2 microspheres with different morphology were investigated. ► It was found that SiO2 concentrations and initiator sorts would synergistically impact on the morphology of the products.