Cellulose esters from waste cotton fabric via conventional and microwave heating

► Cellulose esters were synthesized from waste cotton fabric by microwave heating. ► Various fatty acid chloride chain lengths were used as esterifying agents. ► Esterifying agents and heating methods affected on DS values and other properties. ► Reaction time under microwave esterification was reduced to less than 3 min. ► Cellulose ester can be dissolved in organic solvents such as toluene, DMAc, THF.