The electrocatalytic hydrogenation (ECH) of phenol at a Raney nickel cathode was studied in aqueous solutions. At 30 degreesC, without surfactants, cyclohexanol was obtained with low or medium yields. The best results were observed in alkaline solutions (pH 9). At pH 2 the efficiency of the hydrogenation reaction is significantly improved by low amounts of didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB). This surfactant effect is studied in relation to the substrate and hydrogen adsorption phenomena.