Cellulose nanofibers from rapidly microwave-delignified energy cane bagasse and their application in drilling fluids as rheology and filtration modifiers

•Energy cane bagasse was processed for isolating lignocellulosic nanofibers (LCNFs).•Microwave-assisted chemical hydrolysis and mechanical nanofiberization were used.•Fiber morphology, chemical structure and crystallinity were established.•Manufactured LCNFs were used for fluid rheology and fluid loss control in WDFs.