In this work, a novel nonenzymatic electrochemical glucose sensor based on GC electrode functionalized with MWCNT-Pt nanocrystals@CuO hybrid nanomaterials was established. Thereinto, the Pt nanocrystals@CuO nanoparticles in which high-index stellated Pt nanocrystals were coated by CuO nanoparticles were prepared in situ precipitation. The as-prepared Pt nanocrystals@CuO was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Raman, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and electrochemical methods. Under the optimal conditions, the electrode showed excellent electrocatalytic performance to the oxidation of glucose in 0.5 M NaOH at 0.33 V. The results of experiment indicated that the linear correlation between concentration of glucose and current was very prominent in range of 0.020-23 mM with a low detection limit of 0.14 mu M (S/N = 3). What's more, such a novel core-shell sensor performed outstanding stability and repeatability. Finally, MWCNT-Pt nanocrystals@CuO was applied to detect glucose concentration in human serum samples with satisfied recoveries, providing a promising way for clinical applications. (C) 2017 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.