The electrodeposition of cobalt hydroxide film on glassy carbon electrode was prepared by electrochemical method in an alkaline aqueous solution. The electrochemical behavior of hydroquinone on cobalt hydroxide film electrode has been investigated by using cyclic voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry. The results showed that the film electrode has good electrocatalytic ability for the oxidation of hydroquinone to p-quinone. The recovery of hydroquinone from sample ranged from 94.7% to 102.9% and a rectilinear analytical curve for hydroquinone concentration from 5.0 x 10(-6) to 1.25 x 10(-4) mol/L was obtained. The detection limit was 5.0 x 10(-7) mol/L and the relative standard deviation was 2.63%. Various factors affecting the electrocatalytic activity of cobalt hydroxide film were investigated. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.