Broad band optical absorption and thermoplasmonic response from bio-inspired hierarchical copper nanostructures fabricated by pulsed laser deposition

•The work is demonstration of a very simple and economically viable utilization of Bio-inspired route for fabricating compact and efficient heating materials for solar heat/steam generation, solar energy harnessing, thermo-plasmonics and photo thermal applications.•The findings are interesting and useful to the scientific community owing to various novel aspects like PLD (Pulsed Laser Deposition) for fabricating thermoplasmonic biometamaterial.•The experimental measurement of Temperature increment is remarkably explained and substantiated by analytical modeling invoking Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) in rough surface and localized surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR).•Such an analytical study of themoplasmonic response between complex nano/microstructure and planar metal film gives a clear insight for fabricating optothermal materials.•Fabricated Thermoplasmonic material and Palash leaf are robust and sturdy over long exposure.