CuO nanowires are facilely fabricated on the surface of AgCuZn alloy in situ by direct oxidation and partial reduction procedures, which shows an improved electrocatalytic activity toward ascorbic acid oxidation. The morphology shows the nanowires are assembled by CuO nanoparticles and we consider the process that the unordered spheres convert to ordered wires is due to the reduction of [1 1 0] and [(1) over bar 1 1] crystal planes in CuO. Moreover, the prepared modified electrode displays a high sensitivity of 1660 mu A cm(-2) mM(-1), wide linear range from 0.1 mu M to 3.1 mM and a low detection limit of 0.095 mu mol (signal/noise = 3). Further, the sensor is also tested for anti-interferences and real samples determination, exhibiting distinguished selectivity, accuracy, and recovery. Such excellent properties are owing to the special structure of the synthesized CuO that would provide more specific surface area and enhanced activity compared with common nanowires. Hence, this work of fabricating CuO nanowires assembled by CuO nanoparticles with high performance might supply a way for facile obtain more electrochemical sensor in this structure. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.