Separation and characterization of cellulose fibers from cypress wood treated with ionic liquid prior to laccase treatment

► Wood biomass is treated with an IL and IL is recovered prior to enzymatic delignification. ► IL pretreatment improved the delignification efficiency significantly. ► The α-cellulose content of produced fibers is as high as 73.1%. ► Obtained cellulose fibers had a higher crystallinity and thermal stability than untreated wood fibers.