In this study, pyrrole/N‐para‐toluenpyrrole (Py/NptPy) copolymers were synthesized by chemical oxidative polymerization method. The effects of different kinds of (anionic, cationic, and nonionic) surfactants on the properties of copolymer were investigated. The structural, morphological, thermal, and conductivity properties of the copolymers were investigated by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and the four‐probe measurement device respectively. FTIR spectra of copolymers synthesized in different environments that support the formation of copolymer. SEM results show that the morphologies of copolymers synthesized in the presence of surfactant are more homogeneous and the particle sizes are smaller than that of polypyrrole (PPy). TGA results revealed that the thermal stabilities of Py/NptPy‐NaDBS (400°C) and Py/NptPy‐Tween 20 (260°C) copolymers were higher than surfactant free Py/NptPy copolymer (180°C) according to their initial decomposition temperatures. It was determined that the conductivity values of copolymers were higher than PNptPy. Glucose sensor properties of copolymer synthesized in the presence of tetradecylthreemethyl ammonium bromide (TTAB) were investigated with cyclic voltammetry (CV) method. Michaelis–Menten constant of Py/NptPy‐TTAB copolymer modified electrochemical biosensor was calculated as 5.30 mM. POLYM. ENG. SCI. 56:995–1003, 2016. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers