Abstract:

Cellulose was pretreated using the IL, 1-n-butyl-methylimidazolium chloride([C4mim]Cl). The experimental results showed that DP(degree of polymerization) of cellulose is diminished by [C4mim]Cl pretreatment. With the increase of pretreatment temperature, the saccharification rate increases at first and later decreases and it reaches the fastest at 90ºC. Extending pretreatment time or using ethanol as anti-solvent can enhance saccharification kinetics. The saccharification rate increased by 70% as compared to that of untreated cellulose. SEM studies show that the cellulose depolymerized into fragments by [C4mim]Cl.

Key words: cellulose,ionic liquid,saccharification,pretreatment