Thermal stability of cellulose nanocrystals prepared by succinic anhydride assisted hydrolysis

•Cellulose nanocrystals were produced by acid catalyzed hydrolysis.•The thermal stability of CNCs decreased with the increased acid concentration.•New method of mild hydrolysis/esterification by succinic anhydride was presented.•Thermally stable CNC were obtained by simultaneous hydrolysis and esterification.