Recent progress on the dissolution of cellulose in deep eutectic solvents

Cellulose, a naturally abundant polysaccharide, has garnered significant attention as a recyclable and inexhaustible renewable resource, which offers a sustainable alternative to fossil-based polymers due to its edibility, environmental friendliness, biodegradability, and biocompatibility. To further enhance its applicability, deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have emerged as innovative and green solvents owing to their exceptional low cost, easy fabrication, and non-toxicity, presenting new insights into cellulose chemistry by revealing the unique structure-property-application relationships. Thus, DESs are expected to become the preferred solvents for efficient cellulose dissolution. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of cellulose and DESs, highlighting the current advancements in cellulose dissolution using DESs, and exploring their potential in various cutting-edge applications. Moreover, we outline the opportunities and challenges associated with utilizing DESs for managing cellulose-based systems. • Cellulose is a renewable, eco-friendly alternative to fossil-based polymers. • DESs offer an efficient, sustainable solution for dissolving cellulose, revealing new chemical insights. • Significant progress in cellulose dissolution using DESs enhances its applications and processing. • Challenges and opportunities in using DESs for advanced cellulose-based applications were outlined.