Combination of Ionic Liquid and Instant Catapult Steam Explosion Pretreatments for Enhanced Enzymatic Digestibility of Rice Straw

Lignocellulose rice straw was pretreated by three ionic liquids and instant catapult steam explosion (ICSE), and their effects on feedstock morphology, chemical composition, crystallinity index, thermostability, and glucose yield after enzymatic hydrolysis were investigated. Results showed that ionic liquid performed ideally in separation of lignocellulose components. Compared with the untreated feedstock, the addition of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([Emim]Ac) increased the glucose yield by 70.35% thanks to its marvelous solubility for cellulose and lignin. Moreover, the incorporation of ICSE further enhanced the degradation of lignocellulose. Compared to the sole utilization of ionic liquid, ICSE plus ionic liquid increased the glucose yield by 73.38% (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, [Emim]Cl) and 74.01% (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, [Bmim]Cl), respectively. ICSE tore up the feedstock into small and porous biomass with large specific surface area, which contributed to the superior ...