It is vital for successful lignocellulose utilization to fractionate lignocellulose and tandemly stabilize and even functionalize carbohydrates and lignin with the least chemical and energy inputs. This study presents a solution-free process that can fractionate hardwood chips into carbohydrates and very stable water-soluble lignin at mild conditions. The mild-condition fractionation is solely achieved by the absorbed chemical within woodchips. This process doesn’t need a prior physical size reduction of woodchips and doesn’t need an organic solvent to purify cellulose. The very stable water-soluble lignin is uncondensed and can be separated and purified via membrane dialysis. The spent chemical can be recycled for reuse.
