Increasing contamination of water by trace levels of heavy metals has become major environmental threats leading to an increased demand for the detection and monitoring of metal contaminants. In this work, modification of carbon electrode with cellulose was reported to enhance Pb2+ detection. The interacting ability of cellulose on the electrode surface was evaluated for Pb2+ by using square wave anodic stripping voltammetry. The deposition potential of �1.0 V in 0.1M acetate buffer for 240 sec, followed by square wave potential scan from -1.0 V to -0.2V were used. Stripping voltammogram showed current peaks corresponding to Pb2+. The sensitivity and selectivity of the modified electrodes for Pb2+ were also determined. © 2014 Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.