Deep eutectic solvents driving innovation in pulping technology and upgrading of dissolving pulp: A review

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) emerge as a transformative green platform for overcoming critical limitations in conventional pulping (environmental impact, inefficiency) and dissolving pulp upgrading (balancing high reactivity with eco-friendly processing). Their unique tunability, sustainability, and biocompatibility enable selective disruption of lignocellulosic materials and targeted modification of cellulose properties, promoting biomass valorization. This review critically elaborates recent advances in DESs-driven pulping and dissolving pulp upgrading, establishing vital structure-property-application relationships to guide sustainable biorefinery design. Specifically, the DESs compositions and their interactions with lignocellulosic components was analyzed. Next, the DESs pulping technologies across diverse lignocellulosic feedstocks and inherent limitations were systematically summarized. Subsequently, the DESs applications in dissolving pulp upgrading through single DESs system and process intensification strategies were discussed. Concurrently, the advanced computational methods for rational DESs screening were examined. Building on this foundation, the prevailing challenges and future perspectives for industrial implementation of DESs pulping and dissolving pulp valorization were proposed. This work consolidates critical insights to advance sustainable lignocellulosic biorefining through DESs innovation.