The effectiveness of using conducting polymers as electrode coating material in order to prevent electrode fouling caused by electrochemical oxidation of phenol is investigated. In particular, the use of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) has been tested. Electrode passivation is dramatically reduced while incorporating surfactants containing hydrophilic groups into the polymeric structure. A significant improvement in performance is obtained using poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate); its presence in the solution during electropolymerisation leads to successful formation of the composite material. The influence of polymer thickness and of surfactant nature on phenol oxidation is studied in order to obtain repeatable responses for phenol oxidation. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.