Polystyrene/SiO2 composite nanoparticles (PS-g-Silica) were prepared by an in-situ surface-initiated nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization. After SiO2 nanoparticles were treated by thionyl chloride (SOCl2), peroxide initiation groups were immobilized on their surfaces through a reaction with tertiary butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP). Then surface nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization was initiated and polystyrene was grafted on the surface of SiO2 particles. Composite nanoparticles were characterized by IR spectra, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and thermogravimetry (TGA) and the results indicated that the surface-initiated nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization could be successfully used to synthesize well-dispersive PS/SiO2 nanocomposites.