Surface characterizations of thin film coating of random poly(N-vinylcarbazole-co-vinylbenzenesulfonic acid), P[NVCz-co-VBSA] copolymer on carbon fiber was performed. Coatings of polymer thin films obtained, with different current densities, were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier transform infra red attenuated transform reflectometry (Fr-IR-ATR). The characterization of the thin polymer films was performed on the surface of the carbon fiber, and composition of copolymeric structure was proposed. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All fights reserved.