3D TiO2 submicrostructures decorated by silver nanoparticles as SERS substrate for organic pollutants detection and degradation

• Contrive a multifunctional SERS substrate with 3D sub-micrometer structure and multicomponent.
• The blue wing of butterfly (Euploea mulciber) is used as template for Ag/TiO2 nanocomposites.
• The 3D submicrostructures Ag/TiO2 presents superior SERS effect and photocatalytic activity.
• Pave a facile route to prepare multifunctional material by utilizing smart structural designs in nature.

The blue wing of butterfly Euploea mulciber is used as a template to generate Ag/TiO2 nanocomposites. Thereinto, Ag nanoparticles are deposited uniformly onto TiO2 substrate with three dimensional (3D) submicrometer structures. This unique 3D sub-micrometer structures featured with ridges, ribs and struts can provide a large number of active “hot spots” for enhanced Raman signal. Meanwhile, depositing Ag onto the TiO2 surface can greatly boost its SERS effect and photocatalytic activity by bringing additional electrons into the molecules and inhibiting electrons–holes recombination. Thus, the as-prepared 3D Ag/TiO2 submicrostructures can not only offer sensitive and reproducible SERS signals, but also present superior photocatalytic activity, which can be utilized to detect and eliminate organic pollutants.

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