Major improvement in the rate and yield of enzymatic saccharification of sugarcane bagasse via pretreatment with the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([Emim] [Ac])

► [Emim] [Ac] was selected as a powerful ionic liquid for the pretreatment of bagasse. ► Almost 100% of cellulose-to-glucose conversion was obtained. ► It was possible to obtain fibrillated materials as small as 100 nm. ► Specific surface area (SSA) was increased 100-fold in comparison to untreated bagasse. ► The SSA increase and crystallinity decrease are the main effects of [Emim] [Ac].