Effect of different ionic liquids and anti-solvents on dissolution and regeneration of Miscanthus towards bioethanol

The combined effect of anions of ionic liquids (IL) and anti-solvents on pre-treatment and dissolution mechanisms of biomass are not well studied. To reveal the above effect, three different ionic liquids composed with fixed cation ([EMIM]+) but varied anions were studied for Miscanthus dissolution. Results showed that [EMIM]+[Ac]– was very good in altering the cellulose structure and crystallinity followed by enzymatic digestibility with a sugar yield of 0.98 (g/g of cellulose). The IL [EMIM]+[HSO4]– was very efficient to remove lignin and partially solubilize hemicellulose, however, the sugar yield was low (0.43 g/g of cellulose) compared with [EMIM]+[MeSO3]– and even the untreated Miscanthus. The regenerated biomass with water-acetone mixture (1:1 v/v) as anti-solvent resulted in higher glucose yield. The hydrogen bond basicity (β value) correlated well with cellulose crystallinity, lignin removal, and glucose yield.