Synthesis of Laboratory Waste‐Derived (LWD)–CuI Immobilized Cellulosic Filter (LWD–CICF) as a Photoresponsive Filter for the Photodegradation of Antibiotics: Waste to Water Purifier

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Abstract
Tetracycline (TC) antibiotics are partially metabolized in humans and animals, which leads to environmental toxicity. At the same time, waste materials (WMs) significantly increase the burden of environmental remediation, especially laboratory waste materials (LWMs), ranging from chemicals to clinical waste. Therefore, there is a requirement to degrade TC antibiotics from wastewater by using LWMs. In this aspect, this study focuses on the synthesis of laboratory waste‐derived (LWD) CuI and immobilized onto the surface of cellulose filter (CF). Initially, LWMs were collected and carbonized to produce LWD–CI and then immobilized onto the surface of CF to produce LWD–CICF‐based photoresponsive filter. The band gap values of LWD–CI, CF, and LWD–CICF‐based photoresponsive filters were observed to be ∼ 2.97 eV, ∼4.74 eV, and ∼1.67 eV, respectively. Interestingly, upon immobilization of LWD–CI onto the surface of the CF, the band gap value of LWD–CI and CF significantly decreases, which might enhance the photoresponsive efficiency against antibiotics. The as‐prepared LWD–CICF‐based photoresponsive filter efficiently degraded TC antibiotics. The maximum photoresponsive degradation of TC antibiotics ∼95.8%, ∼77%, and ∼63% was observed in 10 mg/L, 5 mg/L, and 1 mg/L of TC antibiotics, respectively, using 60 min of solar irradiation. Moreover, ∼100% photoresponsive degradation of TC antibiotics was observed at pH 10. The data suggested that the as‐prepared LWD–CICF‐based photoresponsive filter might be effective for photoresponsive degradation of TC antibiotics. Therefore, the synthesis of as‐prepared LWD–CICF‐based photoresponsive filter is facile, cost‐effective, sustainable, and a next‐generation solution for the removal of environmental pollutants.

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