Polymer microspheres were synthesized by oxidation polymerization of pyrrole (Py) with functional poly(vinyl alcohol) having pendent Py groups (PVA-P) or poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) as an emulsifier in various solvent media. In this polymerization system, PVA-P acted not only as a comonomer but also as a stabilizer. The diameter (submicrometre range) of the polymer microspheres decreased with increasing PVA concentration in the medium. Polypyrrole (PPy) microspheres had a very narrow particle size distribution ((D) over bar(w)/(D) over bar(n) < similar to 1.05). The particles stabilized with VA-P were smaller than the corresponding particles stabilized with PVA. The use of PVA-P as an emulsifier was favourable to the formation of micelles with Py monomers. The electrical conductivity of the PPy particles was in the range 10(-5)-10(-1) S cm(-1), depending on the amount of dopant.