Bioinspired Au/TiO2 photocatalyst derived from butterfly wing (Papilio Paris)

► Contrive superior Au/TiO2 photocatalyst with admirable nano-structures and ingredient. ► Introduce butterfly wings template into a facile sol-gel technique for Au/TiO2. ► Biomorphic Au/TiO2 possesses superior photocatalytic activity. ► Show a shortcut for the design of functional materials and devices.