Effect of Fenton's pretreatment on cotton cellulosic substrates to enhance its enzymatic hydrolysis response

► Cellulose treated with 0.5 mM Fe2+, 2% H2O2 for 48 h gave the highest enzyme response. ► Microcrystalline cellulose is less susceptible to Fenton's treatment. ► The surface chemistry of cellulose remains unaltered due to Fenton's treatment.