One-pot synthesis of cellulose ester–graft–polylactide copolymers in an ionic liquid and the effect of graft-chain composition on their thermoplasticities and enzymatic degradabilities

•The cellulose ester–graft–polylactide copolymers was synthesized using an ionic liquid one-pot system.•The structures and compositions of the copolymers were controlled by varying the feed content of reagents and the copolymers exhibited DSAcyl values of 0.7–2.7 and MSPLA values of 3.2–14.2.•The effect of graft-chain composition on thermal stabilities, thermoplasticities, mechanical properties and biodegradability was investigated.