The structure and morphology of several cellulosic materials were studied by x-ray, CP-MAS nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), water retention, and specific surface area analysis. Hydrolysis rates were followed using an enzymatic system consisting of cellulose from Trichoderma viride and a cellobiase from Aspergillus niger. All samples exhibited the same mechanistic framework involving product inhibitions. The most efficient pretreatment was found to be dissolution of the cellulosic material in dimethyl sulfoxide-paraformaldehyde followed by regeneration with ammonia. -- AATA