A pyrocatechol violet (PCV) modified carbon ceramic electrode (CCE) prepared by sol-gel technique was reported for the first time in this paper. By immersing the CCE in aqueous solution of PCV for only a short time, a thin film of PCV was rapidly formed on the surface of the electrode because of strong adsorption of PCV. The resulting modified electrode exhibit a well-defined redox couple attributed to reduction and oxidation of quinine-hydroquinone functionalities. The PCV-modified CCE exhibited catalytic activity toward the electro-reduction of hydrogen peroxide, with the sensitivity of 11.2 nA mu M-1 and the response time was less than 3 s. In addition, the PCV-modified CCE exhibited a distinct advantage of simple preparation, surface renewal, good stability and reproducibility. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.