Isolation of cellulose from rice straw and its conversion into cellulose acetate catalyzed by phosphotungstic acid

► Cellulose was isolated from rice straw via treatment with KOH and CH3COOH. ► Cellulose derived from rice straw was employed to synthesize cellulose acetate. ► Phosphotungstic acid was found to be an effective catalyst for the acetylation of cellulose. ► Degree substitution of cellulose acetate is dependent on the amount of catalyst.