Thin film electro-coated poly[N-vinylcarbazole-co-vinylbenzene sulfonic acid] (p[NVCzVBSA]), poly[carbazole-co-methylthiophene] (p[CzMeTh]) and polycarbazole (p[Cz]) carbon fibre microelectrodes (CFMEs) were characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and FTIR-ATR spectroscopy. These modified carbon fibre electrodes were found to be effective systems for the determination of para-aminophenol (p-AP). Thin film coated p[NVCzVBSA] was the most suitable modified electrode for the detection of p-AP. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.