Uniform polyaniline (PANI) nanoparticles with typical sizes of about 50 nm were electropolymerized on indium tin oxide surfaces in the presence of Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, or Zn2+. According to shaping theory, we first suggest the reason forming PANI spherical particles. Their conductivity, UV-vis spectra, FTIR spectra, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis were investigated. The conductivities and crystallinity of PANI doped with these ions are higher than those of PANI doped with HCl (PANI/HCl). Both UV-vis absorption spectra and FTIR spectra indicate the interactions between Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, or Zn2+ and PANI chains. TG analysis also shows that the thermal stability of PANI doped by Co2+ Ni2+, Cu2+, or Zn (2+) is lower than that of PANI/HCl. (c) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.