We have synthesized graphene and Pt-graphene hybrid material by a microwave-assisted chemical reduction process and evaluated their application as electrode materials towards the electrochemical detection of hydroquinone. Graphene modified glass carbon electrode (GCE) showed a good performance for detecting hydroquinone due to the unique properties of graphene which increased the active surface area of the electrode and accelerated the electron transfer. The linear detection range of hydroquinone concentration was 20-115 mu M with a sensitivity of 1.38 mu A mu M-1 cm(-2); the detection limit was estimated to be 12 mu M (S/N = 3). The electrocatalytic activity of the Pt-graphene modified GCE was further improved due to the enhanced electron transfer and the linear detection range was 20-145 mu M with the sensitivity of 3.56 mu A mu M-1 cm(-2), detection limit 6 mu M (S/N = 3). (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.