Removal of antibiotics and antibiotic resistant bacteria/genes in CNT@wood based solar photothermal disinfection process

Heat treatment, especially boiling, is broad-spectrum and efficient in bacterial inactivation and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) removal without production of disinfection byproducts, but bulk water boiling is neither energy-efficient nor sustainable. Herein, CNT coated wood slices (CNT@wood) were for the first time applied as photothermal conversing materials to develop a solar photothermal disinfection process to remove antibiotics, antibiotic resistance bacteria (ARBs), and ARGs ( bla NDM-1 ) through direct heating. The porous CNT coating layer and intricate wood channels enabled CNT@wood absorber with high solar absorption and photothermal conversion efficiency, resulting in localized, intense heating. It provided great energy for hydrolysis of ampicillin and induced the generation of reactive oxygen species with the catalysis of solar radiation and CNTs, eliminating about 50 % of ampicillin. ARBs were efficiently inactivated with severe damage of cell membranes through direct interfacial heating and heating-inducing intraceller ROS oxidation. The interfacial water boiled after 135 min solar radiation, leading to a 7.6-log ARGs elimination with the dissociation of DNA structure. Taking into account the low risk of ARBs/ARGs after severe structure damage, as well as the elimination of drug antibiotic activity, solar photothermal disinfection shows great potential to control the dissemination of antibiotic resistance during wastewater reuse. • CNT@wood with high solar-to-thermal efficiency caused intense localized heating. • For the first time apply interfacial heating to remove antibiotics and ARGs. • Interfacial heat and catalyzed oxidative species achieved 50 % antibiotic removal. • Interfacial heat and heat induced intracellular ROS caused rapid ARB inactivation. • Interfacial water boiling achieved 7.6-log ARG removal.