Polyaniline (PANI) was doped with poly(styrene sulfonic acid) (PSS) via doping-dedoping-redoping procedure. Incorporation of PSS in PANI resulted modifications in electrochemical and electrochromic properties, morphology and polymer structure of the polymer film as evidenced by the results of cyclic voltammetry, in situ UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis and conductivity measurements. PANI doped with PSS was found to have a cross-link/branched structure with a minimum degradation product. The absence of degradation products improves the electrochemical, electrochromic properties and thermal stability of the PANI layer for electrochromic applications. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.