We examined the electroreduction of Zn2+ in NaClO4 as a supporting electrolyte in the presence of neutral surfactants of various molecular sizes on a mercury electrode. The studies were carried out at different temperatures. The inhibiting effect of N-decanoyl-N-methylglucamine (DMG) on the kinetics of the investigated electrode process was stronger compared to that of N-octanoyl-N-methylglucamine (OMG). In order to describe the Zn2+ reduction in the studied systems, four mechanisms were taken into consideration: EE, CE, IA, and IE. Ion transfer was considered as the most probable first step, whereas electron transfer or reagent adsorption were postulated to be the second step of the electrode process. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.