The invention belongs to the technical field of ionic liquids, and particularly relates to a photoresponse ionic liquid capable of dissolving cellulose as well as a preparation method and applicationthereof. The preparation method comprises the following steps: under the protection of nitrogen, stirring and refluxing 1,3-dichloropropane, acetone, KOH and KI to obtain a mixed solution; dissolving4-hydroxyazobenzene into acetone, adding a dissolved solution into the mixed solution, and continuing stirring for reaction; adding petroleum ether, performing standing, cooling, precipitating and filtering, and collecting and drying filter residues to obtain 1-chloro-3-(4-oxyazobenzene) propane; and carrying out reflux reaction on 1-chloro-3-(4-oxyazobenzene) propane, 1-methyl-1H-imidazole and ethanol under the protection of the nitrogen to obtain the photoresponse ionic liquid capable of dissolving cellulose. The photoresponsive ionic liquid prepared by the method has photoisomerization andcan dissolve cellulose, and the hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity of the photoresponsive ionic liquid are regulated and controlled by light so as to realize effective separation of the ionic liquid and water, so that the ionic liquid is easy to recycle.