One-step dispersion of cellulose nanofibers by mechanochemical esterification in an organic solvent.

Got a crush: Native cellulose can be dispersed as nanofibers in organic solvents by ball milling with esterification agents. Milling with hexanoyl chloride/DMF gives hexanoyl-coated nanofibers dispersible in several organic solvents. Milling with succinic anhydride/DMSO results water-dispersible nanofibers. The results open the way to new cellulose mechanochemistries.