In this study, the N-hydroxvalkyl derivatives of pyrrole (Py), N-(2-hydroxyethyl)pyrrole (HE) and N-(3-hydroxypropyl)pyrrole (HP), were synthesized. The corresponding homopolymers, PHE and PUP, together with the copolymers of Py/HE and those of Py/HP were prepared by galvanostatic polymerization. These monomers and polymers were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, SEM and electrochemical techniques. The result of potential-time profiles showed that a higher potential was required for HE and HP than Py for the polymerization. This was ascribed to the steric hindrance of high concentration of the N-hydroxyalkyl groups. However, a similar potential was observed for the copolymerization of Py/HE and Py/HP systems as that of Py due to the reduction of the steric effect by lower content of the substituent. The SEM micrographs showed a rougher morphology for the films synthesized from the solutions with higher Py/derivatives ratio. The cyclic voltammograms indicated that all the copolymers were larger, while the homopolymers had smaller anodic/cathodic currents and specific charges than PPy. This implied that the existence of the proper amount of the N-hydroxyalkyl pendant groups enhanced the ionic mobility of the pyrrole polymers. The results of charge/discharge measurements showed that the copolymer PYHP82 has the highest discharge capacity among the pyrrole polymers prepared. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.