Solvent-free acetylation of cellulose nanofibers for improving compatibility and dispersion

•Cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) were modified using acetic anhydride in the presence of pyridine.•The crystallinity decreased moderately as a result of esterification.•Unlike native CNFs, a stable aqueous suspension was obtained with the modified nanofibers.•The surface characteristics of acetylated CNFs were changed from hydrophilic to more hydrophobic.•TGA results revealed that the thermal stability of modified CNFs was moderately increased. Cellulose nanofibers (CNFs), as bio-materials derived from wood or non-wood plants, have the advantages of being biodegradable, renewable, low cost, and having good mechanical properties compared to synthetic nanofibers. CNFs have been used as reinforcement in polymeric matrices, however, due to their polar surface, their dispersibility in non-polar solvents and compatibility with hydrophobic matrices are poor. In this work, the chemical modification of CNFs, using acetic anhydride in the presence of pyridine as a catalyst, was studied with the aim of changing the surface properties. Native and chemically modified CNFs were characterized in terms of dynamic absorption, thermal stability, surface chemistry, morphology, and crystal structure. The reaction of acetylation between the acetyl groups and the hydroxyl groups of the CNFs was examined using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis, while its extent was assessed by titration. The ester content of CNFs was higher for the acetylated samples compared to the control samples. It was also shown that the crystallinity decreased moderately as a result of esterification. Thermal stability of the modified nanofibers was slightly increased. Unlike native CNFs, a stable aqueous suspension was obtained with the modified nanofibers in both ethanol and acetone. The contact angle measurements confirmed that the surface characteristics of acetylated CNFs were changed from hydrophilic to more hydrophobic. In addition, the obtained acetylated CNFs showed more hydrophobic surface, which is in favor of enhancing the hydrophobic non-polar mediums.