Ionic Liquid Pretreatment

Abstract Versatility of ionic liquids makes them a promising prospect for biomass pretreatment. Their unique properties, such as low melting point, negligible vapor pressure, excellent recyclability, nonflammability, high heat capacity, high thermal stability, and wide temperature range, make them good alternatives to conventional solvent. Strong hydrogen-bond acceptor anions of ionic liquids lead to the breakdown of complex network of cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin. Ionic liquid pretreatment of the lignocellulosic biomass decreases crystallinity and increases saccharification of cellulose. Numerous studies have been carried out at laboratory scale, which indicates that ionic liquids can be designed for biomass pretreatment to suite the composition of biomass and can be used in combination with other pretreatment methods for effective pretreatment of biomass. However, more efforts are required to make it cost-effective at an industrial scale.