Fe3O4 magnetic nano-particles were prepared by a co-precipitation method and were modified using oleic acid. Then, the cross-linked magnetic composite microspheres containing a carboxyl group were prepared by using an improved emulsion polymerization with divinylbenzene (DVB) as the cross-linking agent. The composite microspheres comprised the Fe3O4 magnetic nano-partictes as cores and the copolymer of styrene and acrylic acid as shells. The morphology and structure of the composite microsphere were characterized by FT-IR, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffrac-tion (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS) and so on. The results show that the composite microspheres were well dispersed in emulsion with uniform sizes and carboxyl groups on their surface. They were cross-linked and stable in 1 mol/L of HCl and DMF.