A glassy carbon electrode was modified by a new homemade material, carbon atom wires (CAW). Electrochemical behaviors of the modified electrode were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and the electrode showed remarkable catalytic activity, stability and repetition to the redox reactions of dopamine (DA) in pH 6.80 phosphate buffer solution. It was found that the electrochemical responses of the CAW modified electrode in the case was affected by an acid treated process and the pH value of the electrolytic solution used. The anodic and cathodic peak currents had an excellent linear relation with the concentration of DA between 1.01 X 10(-5) and 6.15 x 10(-3) M with the detection limit of 1.5 x 10(-6) M. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.