Preparation of cellulose-graft-poly(ɛ-caprolactone) nanomicelles by homogeneous ROP in ionic liquid

► Novel biodegradable cellulose-g-PCL micelles were developed from dissolved pulp. ► Controlled molecular architecture was achieved by homogeneous ROP in ionic liquid. ► Cellulose-g-PCL copolymers can self-assemble into 20-100 nm nanomicelles in water. ► The self-assembly behaviors are correlated with the copolymer architecture.