Abstract: The preparing methods of poly(vinyl alcohol)/montmorillonite （MMT） nanocomposites were introduced, including the insitu polymerization intercalation, the solutionintercalation and the meltintercalation. MMT extended the path of gas molecules, limited the free volume of PVA molecules, and reduced the swelling and movement of PVA molecules, which promoted the water resistance, thermal stability, gas barrier property and mechanical properties of PVA/MMT composites. MMT in PVA matrix with the form of intercalated and exfoliated type, exfoliated type material had the better mechanics performance, while the intercalated type material had the better thermal stability and gas barrier property. In PVA matrix, sodium based MMT performed the better intercalating efficiency than organic modified MMT.

Key words: poly (vinyl alcohol), montmorillonite, nano-composite, preparation, water-resistance, thermal stability, mechanical property