Fast and efficient nanoshear hybrid alkaline pretreatment of corn stover for biofuel and materials production

► A fast nanoshear hybrid alkaline (NSHA) pretreatment method is reported. ► A modified Taylor-Couette reactor was applied. ► The retention time of the NSHA method is only 2 min. ► A 100% conversion of glucan was achieved in one day. ► NSHA greatly removed both lignin and xylan.