Korean Journal of Materials Research ISSN:1225-0562(Print) 2287-7258(Online) 한국재료학회지

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are promising photocatalysts with a broad light absorption range and high catalytic activity. However, conventional synthesis methods often involve toxic chemicals, limiting their environmental applicability. In this study, we developed an eco-friendly bio-templating method to synthesize hierarchical micro/nano-structured silver (MNAg) photocatalysts that uses plant leaves, including Nelumbo nucifera (lotus leaf), Rosa sp. (rose petal), and Limonium sinuatum (statice petal), as natural templates. By modifying the leaf surfaces with citrate functional groups, AgNPs were selectively formed along the microstructures of the templates, preserving their hierarchical morphology. MNAg photocatalysts were subsequently obtained through controlled calcination, and successfully retained the microscale structure of the original template. The surface morphology, chemical composition and crystalline structure of the MNAg were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), confirming the successful formation of hierarchical AgNPs. The optical behavior of the MNAg, characterized with diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), demonstrated broadened absorption across the visible region, which is attributed to plasmonic coupling among the densely packed AgNPs, partially interconnected along the hierarchical surface. The photocatalytic performance of the MNAg materials was evaluated for methylene blue degradation under UV-Vis illumination. The MNAg derived from lotus leaves exhibited the highest photocatalytic efficiency. This study presents a sustainable route to hierarchical Ag photocatalysts, highlighting the potential of bio-inspired nanomaterials for environmental applications.