Characterizations of Flexible Clay-PVA Hybrid Films: Thermo-optical Properties, Morphology, and Gas Permeability

Abstract

To improve Na+-saponite(SPT) film flexibility, we prepared SPT hybrid clay films with various poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) concentrations(0 similar to 10 wt%) using the solution intercalation method. In this study, we investigated the thermo-optical properties, morphology, and gas permeability of the SPT hybrid films. We also examined the relationship between the film properties and PVA content using wide angle X-ray diffraction measurements (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), thermomechanical analysis (TMA), ultraviolet-visible(UV-vis) spectroscopy, and oxygen transmission rate(O2TR) testing. The properties of the clay hybrid films were strongly affected by PVA filler content. The presence of a small amount of PVA was sufficient to improve the flexibility of SPT hybrid films.