A simple analytical expression for the current function has been formulated for irreversible electron transfer processes in linear sweep voltammetry (LSV). The equations pertaining to the surface concentrations of the reactants and products have been obtained using the current function. The parametric dependence of the diffusion layer thickness has also been derived and its significance pointed out. The reductive cleavage of carbon tetrachloride in N,N'-dimethylformamide (DMF) at glassy carbon electrodes is investigated for verifying the theoretical expressions. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.