A novel enzyme-free hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) sensor was fabricated by coating graphene oxide (GO), branched polyethylenimine (PEI) and Pd particles in sequence on the surface of glassy carbon (GC) electrode (Pd-PEI/GO/GC). A layer-by-layer method was used, which involved pi-pi interactions, covalent bonding through 1-ethyl-3-[3-dimethylaminopropyl]carbodiimide/N-hydroxysulfosuccinimide (EDC/NHSS) chemistry, electrostatic adsorption and electroreduction. The Pd-PEI/GO/GC electrode exhibited high electrocatalytic activity, a low detection limit, and good stability for the detection of H2O2. The sensor's practical application was tested via determination of H2O2 in real water samples. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.