The comparison of assembly structure and property of mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold nanoparticle modified electrode (nanogold electrode) with that on planar gold electrode was studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The electron transfer of through the MPA SAMs and Cu underpotential deposition (UPD) on MPA-covered electrode indicated that MPA molecules assemblied on the planar gold electrode could form a very compact layer, which could surpass the electron transfer K3Fe(CN)(6) greatly, whereas on the surface on the nanogold, which curvature make the compact packing loose. The reductive desorption in 0.5 M KOH and oxidative desorption in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) (pH 6.8) showed that gold nanoparticles could enhance the Au-S bond and stabilize the MPA molecules. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.