Formation of a thin polyaniline film on hydrous zirconia (ZrO2) surface was carried out using adsorbed surfactant bilayers on ZrO2 as reaction sites. Aniline was adsolubilized in hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (HDTAB) admicelles formed on the surface of ZrO2 by adsorption. Subsequent polymerization of the adsolubilized aniline monomer showed effective conversion of aniline to polyaniline. The formation of the polyaniline coated ZrO2 has been confirmed by UV-visible spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, and conductivity measurements. Various parameters involved during the adsorption process were studied. Selection of pH 9.0 as the pH of all experimental feed solutions was governed by the knowledge of point of zero charge (PZC) of ZrO2. Effect of aniline concentration on HDTAB adsorption was studied and it was observed that increase in aniline concentration decreased the amount of HDTAB adsorbed on ZrO2. Addition of salt (0.05 M NaCl) in the feed solution increased HDTAB adsorption and drastically reduced the effect of aniline concentration on HDTAB adsorption. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.