Hydrothermal synthesis of CuO micro-/nanostructures and their applications in the oxidative degradation of methylene blue and non-enzymatic sensing of glucose/H2O2

► Morphologically controlled green synthetic route for CuO has been developed. ► Amino acids-/citric acid-/tartaric acid-assisted synthetic route has been developed. ► Materials were used as catalysts in the oxidative degradation of methylene blue. ► Materials were used for non-enzymatic sensing of glucose and H2O2. ► Nanostructured CuO exhibited higher electrocatalytic activity than CuO.