In this study two imidazole-based ionic liquids (ILs), namely 1-butyl-3-methyl-1-imidazolium chloride
([BMIM]Cl) and 1,3-methyl imidazolium dimethyl sulfate ([DiMIM][MeSO4]), were used to dissolve
ball-milled poplar wood (PW), chemi-mechanical pulp (CMP), and cotton linter (CEL). A set of comparative
experiments was carried out, and physical and mechanical properties of the composite films from
three different raw materials were determined by means of optical transparency (OT), scanning electron
microscopy (SEM), water absorption (WA), thickness swelling (TS), water vapor permeability (WVP), and
tensile strength (b). The overall evaluation indicates the inability of [DiMIM][MeSO4] in complete dissolution
of lignocellulosic materials, and sample treatment with this solvent did not lead to water soluble
degradation products. However, dissolution trials using [BMIM]Cl were able to dissolve all used lignocellulosic
materials by destroying inter and intramolecular hydrogen bonds between lignocelluloses. The
OT, WA, TS, and b of regenerated CEL films were much higher than those of CMP and PW composites.
In addition, CEL film showed the lowest WVP compared to WF and CMP composite films. This work
demonstrated a promising route for the preparation of biodegradable green cellulose composite films.