The electrochemical reduction of hydrogen peroxide. on SIMFUEL electrodes in alkaline sodium chloride solution has been studied. Using the steady-state polarization technique, Tafel slopes and reaction orders with respect to H2O2 have been determined. The results have been interpreted in terms of a chemical-electrochemical mechanism involving U-IV/U-V donor-acceptor reaction sites. The large values of the Tafel slopes and the fractional reaction orders can be understood in terms of the potential-dependent surface coverage of active sites, similar to that observed in the reduction of hydrogen peroxide on oxidized copper surfaces. The effects of pH in the range 10-13 were also investigated. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.