Application of Ionic Liquids in the Conversion of Native Lignocellulosic Biomass to Biofuels

Ionic liquids have been actively studied for the pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass due to their ability to dissolve various native biomasses at high temperatures ranging from 70 to 140°C in several hours. In this chapter, their application is reviewed and the delignification mechanism is investigated through microscopic, spectroscopic, and chemical analyses. The effects of various cation–anion combinations, viability of cellulases, and the recycling of ionic liquids will be discussed. In addition, recent advances in the application of ionic liquids at room temperature will be described. For example, poplar wood cell walls swell upon exposure to an ionic liquid at room temperature, and recover partially their original size upon addition of water. A process to incorporate materials/chemicals into the wood structure is designed based on the expansion and contraction of the biomass, which has applications such as improved pretreatment strategies, composites, and sensing capabilities using low-cost and biocompatible materials.