Cellulose nanofibers prepared from pulp through ultrasound treatment followed semi-dry esterification and their application for transparent and anti-fingerprint coating

In order to facilitate nano-fibrillation via ultrasound to prepare cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) from flocculent pulp, a semi-dry esterification was carried out to modify the pulp with maleic anhydride. Small amount water addition improves mixing of the reactants and increases extent of esterification. The modification significantly enhances nano-fibrillation of the pulp in subsequent ultrasound treatment. CNFs with about 200–400 nm in length and about 20–25 nm in width are obtained from the esterified pulp. CNFs coating, prepared by casting CNFs aqueous dispersion on glass slide, gives rise to about 4% increase in transmittance of the slide and improves anti-fingerprint property of the slide. The results of this study provide a solution for production of CNFs from flocculent pulps and demonstrate the potential application of CNFs for anti-reflection and anti-fingerprint coatings. [Display omitted] •Flocculent pulp is modified via semi-dry esterification using maleic anhydride.•Cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) are obtained by ultrasound treating esterified pulps.•The obtained CNFs are about 200–400 nm in length and 20–25 nm in width.•The CNFs coating increases transmittance of glass substrate up to 4%.•The CNFs coating improves anti-fingerprint property of glass substrate.