Polystyrene template microspheres of narrow size distribution were prepared by dispersion polymerization of styrene in a mixture of ethanol and 2-methoxy ethanol. Spherical and hemispherical polystyrene/poly(glycidyl methacrylate) microspheres of narrow size distribution were prepared by a single-step swelling of the polystyrene template microspheres with the swelling solvent monomer glycidyl methacylate, followed by polymerization of the monomer within the swollen template microspheres at 73 C. Uniform polystyrene/poly(glycidyl methacylate-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) polyepoxide composite microspheres were synthesized similarly, substituting glycidyl methacylate for glycidyl methacylate and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate. Uniform crosslinked poly(glycidyl methacylate-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) polyepoxide microspheres have been prepared by dissolution of the PS template polymer of the former composite microspheres. Particles with different properties, for example size, size distribution, shape, surface morphology, surface area, and so forth, were prepared by changing various parameters belonging to the swelling and/or polymerization steps, for example, volume of the swelling monomer/s and/or the swelling solvent dibutyl phthalate. (c) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.