Catalytic conversion of sugarcane bagasse to cellulosic ethanol: TiO2 coupled nanocellulose as an effective hydrolysis enhancer

•An attempt is made to produce cellulosic ethanol from bagasse using TiO2 coupled nanocellulose (NC-TiO2) as catalyst.•Aspergillus nidulans AJSU04, a promising fungi for cellulase production was used for the hydrolysis of bagasse integrated NC-TiO2 matrix (NC-TiO2-B).•Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 20602 aided the cellulosic ethanol production from enzymatically hydrolyzed bagasse integrated NC-TiO2 matrix (NC-TiO2-B).•The strategy adopted provides optional solutions to aid broader application in the global bioethanol market for future cellulosic ethanol industry. The present study deals with the production of cellulosic ethanol from bagasse using the synthesized TiO2 coupled nanocellulose (NC-TiO2) as catalyst. Aspergillus nidulans AJSU04 cellulase was used for the hydrolysis of bagasse. NC-TiO2 at various concentrations was added to bagasse in order to enhance the yield of reducing sugars. Complex interaction between cellulase, bagasse, NC-TiO2 and the reaction environment is thoroughly studied. A mathematical model was developed to describe the hydrolysis reaction. Ethanol production from enzymatically hydrolyzed sugarcane bagasse catalyzed with NC-TiO2 was carried out using Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 20602. The glucose release rates and ethanol concentrations were determined. Ethanol produced was found to be strongly dependent on pretreatment given, hydrolysis and fermentation conditions. The study confirmed the promising accessibility of NC-TiO2, for enhanced glucose production rates and improved ethanol yield.