Flexible clay hybrid films with various poly(vinyl alcohol) contents: Thermal properties, morphology, optical transparency, and gas permeability

Clay hybrid films were obtained by the solution blending of saponite (SPT) with various amounts of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). Variations in the thermal properties, morphology, optical transparency, and gas permeability of the clay hybrid films with PVA content in the range 0-10 wt% were examined. With increasing PVA content, the thermal transition temperatures of the hybrids decreased. However, the values of the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) increased gradually. The values of the yellow index (YI) and oxygen transmission rate (O2TR) of the clay hybrid films remained constant regardless of their PVA content.