For the preparation and modification of conducting polymer films as electrocatalysts for anodic hydrogen oxidation three pathways were investigated: (i) cathodic deposition of platinum from a hexachloro-platinum complex [PtCl6](2-) on the pre-synthesised polymer him, (ii) incorporation of colloidal platinum particles into the polymer film during electropolymerisation and (iii) incorporation of a tetrachloro-platinum complex [PtCl4](2-) during the electro-polymerisation as counter ion and its subsequent cathodic reduction. Using SEM and EDX the distribution of platinum in the polypyrrole film depending on the preparation conditions was studied. The catalytic activity of the modified films was derived from polarisation curves of hydrogen oxidation using rotating disk electrode technique. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.