Biocomposite films prepared from ionic liquid solutions of chitosan and cellulose

► We prepared blends of chitosan and cellulose by using 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate as solvent media. ► The addition of chitosan increases the thermal stability of cellulose, slowing down its thermal degradation. ► The increased activation energy of the polymeric blends is indicative of enhanced stability reflecting miscibility of the two polymers. ► No apparent phase separation is identified in any of the polymeric blends.