Zn(II) ions have been selectively bound to the L-cysteine coated gold electrode in the form of a four-coordinated complex. Voltammograms of the Zn complex on the L-cysteine coated gold electrode showed a cathodic wave at ca. 0.05 V in the pH 7.54 phosphate buffered saline. The charge transfer coefficient and rate constant for the reduction of this Zn complex were 0.65 and 0.003 s(-1), respectively. The complexation of Zn(II) ions with L-Cysteine on the gold electrode resulted in the maximum surface coverage of the Zn complex of 0.35 nmol cm(-2) and the Gibbs energy change of -27.6 kJ mol(-1). The cathodic peak current, influenced by the types of the end functional groups in thiols, the preconcentration time, and pH values of the supporting electrolyte, was linear with the concentration of Zn(11) ions in the range of 5.0 nM to 5 mu M with a detection limit of 2.1 nM. The proposed voltammetric method was utilized successfully to detect the concentration of Zn(11) ions in hairs. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.