Preparation and characterization of cellulose nanocrystals from corncob ionic liquid [Bmim][HSO] hydrolysis: effects of major process conditions on dimensions of the product.

In this study, cellulose nanocrystals were prepared the hydrolysis of corncob (CC) biomass using Brønsted acid ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate [Bmim][HSO]. The corncob was subjected to alkaline pretreatment, and was then hydrolysed by [Bmim][HSO], which acted as both solvent and catalyst. The effects of process conditions, including mass percent of CC (1.