The expectant dithiocarbamate group end-functional poly(styrene) (PS) with a controlled molecular weight and low molecular weight distribution was synthesized conveniently via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and was used to prepare polymer/metal composites with coordination chemistry. By the self-assembly technique, PS coordinated with the rare earth metal in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) to generate the fluorescent Eu-PS and Sm-PS complexes. Furthermore, PS-coated spherical silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were prepared by reducing Ag(+) to Ag(0) under ultrasound irradiation in the presence of DMF and H(2)O. The well core/shell structure of the AgNPs was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.