A novel voltammetric sensor based on graphene-Nafion and poly(L-arginine) was constructed by electrodeposited and simple dipping-drying methods and used for high-sensitive determination of Terbutaline sulfate (TBS). The resulting poly(L-arginine)/graphene-Nafion modified electrode showed a significant voltammetric response to TBS due to the synergistic effect of poly(L-arginine) and graphene-Nafion, in which poly(L-arginine) had electrocatalytic ability for TBS and graphene provided a large specific surface area, excellent electric conductivity and electrocatalytic activity. The sensor gave a good linear range over 4.0 x 10(-8)-5.0 x 10(-6) mol L-1 with a detection limit of 1.2 x 10(-8) mol L-1 towards the determination of TBS. The high sensitivity and selectivity together with the good linear relationship, very easy surface regeneration and good stability at such a modified electrode led us to construct a practical TBS biosensor successfully. This work promoted the potential applications of graphene-based materials in electrochemical sensors. Crown Copyright (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.