Hydrolysis of cellulose over functionalized glucose-derived carbon catalyst in ionic liquid

► Carbon catalyst was prepared by glucose hydrothermal carbonization. ► The carbon material contains -SO3H, -COOH, and phenolic -OH groups. ► The solid catalyst exhibits high catalytic activity for cellulose hydrolysis in ionic liquid. ► A reducing sugar yield of 72.7% can be obtained at 110 °C for 240 min reaction time. ► The catalyst can be recycled.