Cellulose/polycaprolactone blends regenerated from ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride

► In this study, cellulose/polycaprolactone (PCL) blend films were prepared using green solvent 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (BMIM[Cl]) which was recycled with high yield and purity. ► The blends exhibit partial miscibility due to the existence of hydrogen bonding interactions between the two components. ► The blends show significant enhancement of thermal stability compared to the regenerated cellulose and the tensile properties of cellulose can be modulated by incorporating various amounts of biodegradable PCL. ► This work exhibits an environmental benign procedure for processing completely bio-renewable blends from natural and biodegradable synthetic polymers.