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Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are unique, renewable top-down nano particles from which coatings with improved gas barrier properties and new functionalities can be prepared. In this paper, the potential for obtaining such high performing nanocrystals from low-cost lignocellulosic by-products or raw materials is proved by a comparison study on CNCs obtained both from cotton linters and kraft pulp, by means of the ammonium persulfate (APS) process. Morphological and chemical characterization of the nanocrystals obtained, as well as the main functional properties of the poly(ethylene terephthalate) coated films, showed quite similar characteristics and performances of CNCs obtained from pure cellulose raw material (cotton linters) and the nanoparticles produced from a potential discard of paper making processes (kraft pulp). In particular, the gas barrier properties of the coating produced with CNCs obtained from kraft pulp were very promising, providing oxygen and carbon dioxide permeability values hundreds of times lower than those of equal thickness in comparison with common barrier synthetic polymers, over a broad range of temperatures. The results obtained are relevant not only for the outstanding performances achieved, but also because they evoke a possible positive example of industrial symbiosis in the packaging field, merging together the requirements and needs of the paper and plastic industries and addressing the way towards a better management of waste and materials.

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Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) exhibit outstanding gas barrier properties, which supports their use as a biobased and biodegradable barrier coating on flexible food packaging materials. As highly hydrophilic biopolymers, however, CNCs have a strong sensitivity to water that can be detrimental to applications with fresh foods and in moist conditions due to the loss of barrier properties. In this work, the oxygen and water vapor permeability of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films coated with CNCs obtained from cotton linters were measured at varying levels of relative humidity, both in adsorption and desorption, and from these data, the diffusion and solubility coefficients were estimated. Therefore, the characterization of CNCs was aimed at understanding the fundamentals of the water-CNCs interaction and proposing counteractions. The CNCs' moisture absorption and desorption isotherms at 25 • C were collected in the range of relative humidity 0-97% using different techniques and analyzed through GAB (Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer) and Oswin models. The effects of moisture on the water status, following the freezable water index, and on the crystal structure of CNCs were investigated by Differential Scanning Calorimetry and by X-ray Powder Diffraction, respectively. These findings point to the opportunity of coupling CNCs with hydrophobic layers in order to boost their capabilities as barrier packaging materials.