This article describes a versatile two-step method for gold/polyaniline derivative core/shell nanocomposites with the aid of nonionic surfactant F127. First, F127 and monomer were introduced to gold colloids followed by the addition of oxidant to initiate the polymerization of monomer to afford a conducting polymer shell around each gold nanoparticle. Experimental parameters, such as kinds and concentrations of surfactant and monomer, gold core size and shape, reaction time, were systematically investigated to disclose the underground mechanisms involved in the formation of gold/polymer core/shell nanocomposites. Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared, ultraviolet-visible, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques were used to characterize the gold/polymer core/shell nanocomposites. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 3903-3912,2010