ENHANCED PVOH-BASED BARRIER LAYER COMPOSITION, BARRIER LAYER AND METHODS FOR ITS MANUFACTURE

Abstract

There is provided a packaging material comprising a fibre based substrate and a gas barrier layer based on a polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), wherein said gas barrier layer comprises an interpolymer complex forming agent (IPCFA), which IPCFA is a water-soluble polymer exhibiting functional groups capable of forming hydrogen bonds with —OH groups of the PVOH. Said PVOH has a weight average molecular weight (M.sub.w) measured according to ASTM D4001-13 in the range of about 80 kg/mol to 135 kg/mol, the proportion of said IPCFA to PVOH in said gas barrier layer is in the range of 0.5 to 7.0% (w/w) and said packaging material has an oxygen permeability (OP) below 14 ml μm/m.sup.2 day atm, which OP is obtained by multiplying the oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of the packaging material measured according to ASTM F1927-7 at a relative humidity (RH) of 80% and 23° C. by the thickness of the gas barrier layer.

Claims

1. A packaging material comprising a fibre based substrate and a gas barrier layer based on a polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), wherein said gas barrier layer comprises an interpolymer complex forming agent (IPCFA), which IPCFA is a water-soluble polymer exhibiting functional groups capable of forming hydrogen bonds with —OH groups of the PVOH, wherein said PVOH has a weight average molecular weight (M.sub.w) measured according to ASTM D4001-13 in the range of 80 kg/mol to 135 kg/mol, the proportion of said IPCFA to PVOH in said gas barrier layer is in the range of 0.5 to 7.0% (w/w) and said packaging material has an oxygen permeability (OP) below 14 ml μm/m.sup.2 day atm, which OP is obtained by multiplying the oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of the packaging material measured according to ASTM F1927-7 at a relative humidity (RH) of 80% and 23° C. by the thickness of the gas barrier layer.

2. The packaging material according to claim 1, wherein said IPCFA has a weight average molecular weight (M.sub.w) in the interval of 10 kg/mol to 1500 kg/mol.

3. The packaging material according to claim 1, wherein said IPCFA is chosen from polyacrylic acid, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and non-ionic polyacrylamide.

4. The packaging material according to claim 1, wherein the proportion of said IPCFA to PVOH in the coating composition is in the interval of 0.5 to 6% (w/w), such as 1 to 5% (w/w), such as 1 to 4% (w/w).

5. The packaging material according to claim 1, wherein said fibre based substrate is a paper or paper board comprising at least one fibre based layer.

6. The packaging material according to claim 1, wherein said packaging material has an oxygen transmission rate (OTR) in the interval 0.1 to 3 ml/m.sup.2 day atm, measured according to ASTM F1927-07 and at a relative humidity (RH) of 50% and 23° C.

7. The packaging material according to claim 1, wherein said packaging material has an oxygen transmission rate (OTR) in the interval of 0.5 to 3 ml/m.sup.2 day atm, measured according to ASTM F1927-07 and at a relative humidity (RH) of 80% and 23° C.

8. A method for the production of a packaging material according to claim 1, wherein a coating composition comprising said PVOH and said IPCFA dissolved in a first solvent is provided, and said coating composition is applied onto said substrate to form said PVOH-based gas barrier layer.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the formation of said PVOH-based gas barrier layer comprises drying the applied coating composition at a temperature below the boiling point of said first solvent.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the formation of said PVOH-based gas barrier layer comprises drying the applied coating composition and heating the dried coating composition.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein said PVOH-based layer, after it has been dried and optionally heated, is crosslinked by contacting it with a crosslinking agent to achieve crosslinking of the polymers.

12. The packaging material according to claim 2, wherein said IPCFA has a weight average molecular weight (M.sub.w) in the interval of 100 kg/mol to 700 kg/mol.

Description

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0043] FIG. 1 shows, from left to right, the chemical structures of polyvinyl alcohol, nonionic polyacrylamide, poly(methyl vinyl ether-alt-maleic acid), polyacrylic acid and polyvinyl pyrrolidone, interpolymer complex forming polymers tested in the examples.

[0044] FIG. 2 shows the estimated optimum concentrations (% w/w) in PVOH-IPCFA blends identified for four different interpolymer complex forming polymers; polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), polyacrylic acid (PAA), poly(methyl vinyl ether-alt-maleic acid) (PMV), and nonionic polyacrylamide (NPA). The x-axis of FIG. 2 represents M.sub.w.

[0045] FIG. 3 shows the shear viscosity as a function of the concentration of PVPs of different weight average molecular weights in different PVOH qualities:

[0046] In FIG. 3A, the PVOH quality is POVAL 6/98 (M.sub.w=47 kg/mol);

[0047] In FIG. 3B, the PVOH quality is Mowiol 10/98 (M.sub.w=61 kg/mol);

[0048] In FIG. 3C, the PVOH quality is POVAL 15/99 (estimated M.sub.w=100 kg/mol);

[0049] In FIG. 3D, the PVOH quality is Mowiol 20/98 (M.sub.w=125 kg/mol);

[0050] In FIG. 3E, the PVOH quality is POVAL 15/99 (M.sub.w=145 kg/mol); and

[0051] In FIG. 3F, the PVOH quality is 363146 (Sigma Aldrich) (M.sub.w=85-124 kg/mol). FIG. 3F also includes a PAA.

[0052] FIG. 3G shows a reference experiment with Exceval AQ4104, which is a modified PVOH with properties similar to EVOH that has an estimated M.sub.w of 70 kg/mol, and a PVP having an M.sub.w of 360 kg/mol.

[0053] FIGS. 4a and b show the pinhole test results of cardboard substrates coated with the experimental coating formulations: a) Pure PVOH; b) PVOH containing 10% (w/w) nanofiller; c) PVOH-PMV (2.5% (w/w)); d) PVOH-PMV (2.5% (w/w)) 10% nanofiller; e) PVOH-PAA (1% (w/w)); f) PVOH-PAA (1% (w/w)) 10% (w/w) nanofiller; g) PVOH-PW (2.5% (w/w)); and h) PVOH-NPA (2% (w/w)).

[0054] FIG. 5A shows the viscosity (empty squares/dashed line) and OTR at 80% RH and 23° C. (filled squares/solid line) as a function of the concentration of PMV (M.sub.w=216 kg/mol) in PVOH (POVAL 15/99).

[0055] FIG. 5B shows the viscosity (empty triangles/dashed line) and OTR at 80% RH and 23° C. (filled triangles/solid line) as a function of the concentration of PVP (M.sub.w=360 kg/mol) in PVOH (POVAL 15/99).

[0056] FIG. 5C shows the viscosity (empty stars/dashed line) and OTR at 80% RH and 23° C. (filled stars/solid line) as a function of the concentration of PAA (M.sub.w=250 kg/mol) in PVOH (POVAL 15/99).

DESCRIPTION

[0057] The term “substrate” refers to any substrate for which improved barrier properties are desired, and onto which a PVOH-based coating can be applied. The present disclosure is primarily concerned with cellulose and/or fibre based substrates, such as films or paper including paperboard made of or comprising cellulose fibres and/or cellulose fibrils.

[0058] The term “fibre” encompasses cellulose fibre, such as virgin fibre, for example bleached and/or unbleached kraft pulp, or chemithermomechanical pulp (CTMP), but also includes recirculated fibre, pulped recycled paper, such as pulped newsprint, de-inked pulp (DIP) etc.

[0059] “Molecular weight” typically refers to weight average molecular weight (M.sub.w), which can be determined according to the standard ASTM D4001-13.

[0060] According to the first aspect, there is provided a packaging material comprising a fibre based substrate and a gas barrier layer based on a polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), wherein said gas barrier layer comprises an interpolymer complex forming agent (IPCFA), which IPCFA is a water-soluble polymer exhibiting functional groups capable of forming hydrogen bonds with —OH groups of the PVOH. The proportion of said IPCFA to PVOH in said gas barrier layer is in the range of 0.5 to 7.0% (w/w) and said packaging material has an oxygen permeability (OP) below 14 ml μm/m.sup.2 day atm, which OP is obtained by multiplying the oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of the packaging material measured according to ASTM F1927-07 at a relative humidity (RH) of 80% by the thickness of the gas barrier layer.

[0061] Said barrier layer inhibits the migration of gases and also, to some extent, vapors and liquids.

[0062] The proportion of said IPCFA in relation to PVOH in the barrier layer may be in the interval of 1-5% (w/w), preferably in the interval of 2 to 3% (w/w). This is a surprisingly small amount, in particular when compared to previous publications teaching the addition of about 30% of interpolymer complex forming polymers.

[0063] Said PVOH preferably has a degree of hydrolysis of at least about 98% or in the interval of about 98 to 100%. Further, fully saponified grades of PVOH are preferably used. Different qualities of PVOH having a degree of hydrolysis of about 98-100% are available, for example products having the following M.sub.w: 13-23 kg/mol, 27 kg/mol, 31-50 kg/mol, 89-98 kg/mol, 85-124 kg/mol, 125 kg/mol, 130 kg/mol, 145 kg/mol, 146-186 kg/mol, and 195 kg/mol.

[0064] Again without wishing to be bound by theory, the present inventor has found that the molecular weight of the PVOH, as well as that of the IPCFA, and the combinations thereof, have significance. Beneficial molecular weights for the PVOH and the IPCFA are discussed above.

[0065] PVOH-products are frequently characterized by the viscosity of a 4 solution. A skilled person is well familiar with different standard methods for determining the viscosity of polymers, for example using a capillary-type viscosimeter, for example an Ubbelohde-type viscometer or an Ostwald-type viscosimeter. Notably PVOH products having a viscosity above 5 mPas have obtained FDA/BfR approval.

[0066] Thus, according to a further embodiment of said first aspect, freely combinable with the above aspect and embodiments, the viscosity of the PVOH is preferably in the interval of about 4 to 28 mPas as determined at 20° C. according to the standard DIN 53015/JIS K 6726, preferably above 5 mPas as PVOH products having a viscosity above 5 mPas have obtained FDA/BfR approval for use in food packaging applications.

[0067] The experimental results presented below indicate that that combined used of an IPCFA and a nanofiller may not only make it possible to reduce the amount of both components, but also may have a positive effect in that the formation of pinhole defects is diminished (See FIG. 4). The reduction of the amount of nanofillers, made possible by the inclusion of IPCFA:s in the composition is advantageous also because it reduces the risk of the barrier layer become brittle, a property sometimes associated with nanofillers.

[0068] While a nanofiller-free barrier layer is desired for most applications, the possibility of combining IPCFA:s and a reduced amount of nanofillers is desirable in some applications. When coating three-dimensional objects, or substrates that are required to be flexible in the subsequent packaging applications, in the filling, closure or other handling steps, where the flexibility and durability of the barrier layer is very important, it will be a considerable advantage if the content of nanofillers can be minimized or entirely avoided.

[0069] The coat weight of the barrier layer is typically in the interval of 0.8 to 8.0 g/m.sup.2, preferably 1.2-4.0 g/m.sup.2, and more preferably 1.6-3.2 g/m.sup.2.

[0070] The substrate is a fibre-based substrate, such as paper or paper board comprising at least one fibre based layer.

[0071] The second aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for the production of a packaging material according to the first aspect, wherein a coating composition comprising said PVOH and said IPCFA dissolved in a first solvent is provided and said coating composition is applied onto said substrate to form said PVOH-based gas barrier layer.

[0072] Said coating composition may be applied onto the substrate by curtain coating, blade coating, rod coating, spray or roll coating, or a combination of two or more thereof.

[0073] A person skilled in the relevant art is familiar with the techniques for coating substrates, in particular fibre based substrates such as paperboards. Curtain coating is a coating process in which a linear flow of a liquid coating composition is deposited on a surface of a moving substrate, such as paper web. The coating composition forms a liquid sheet that falls freely before impinging onto the moving substrate that is to be coated.

[0074] The formation of said PVOH-based gas barrier layer may comprise drying the applied coating composition at a temperature below the boiling point of said first solvent. Examples of drying methods are air drying using hot air, xenon flash heating, UV radiation, IR radiation, microwave-based drying and convection heating.

[0075] After the PVOH-based layer has been dried, it may be crosslinked by contacting it with a crosslinking agent (and optionally a catalyst) to achieve crosslinking of the polymers. Crosslinking after drying has a better effect on the barrier properties than crosslinking before drying.

[0076] After the contact with the crosslinking agent, said PVOH-based layer is typically dried, again at a temperature below the boiling point of the solvent in which the crosslinking was applied. Examples of drying methods are discussed above. After such drying, said PVOH-based layer may be subjected to a second heating step, which typically is heating to a temperature in the interval of 101-170° C., preferably in the interval of 130 to 160° C. and most preferably in the interval of about 140 to about 150° C. This heating can be performed for 1 to 10 s, or for 1 to 3 minutes. Different methods of heating can be employed, such as hot air heating, xenon flash heating, UV radiation-based heating, IR radiation-based heating, microwave-based heating or convection heating.

[0077] The method has proven to be very robust, and the inventor has for example shown that the coating composition and crosslinking compositions can be prepared in tap water, which constitutes an advantage when the method is applied in an industrial scale.

[0078] A third aspect of the present disclosure is a package or container comprising a packaging material according to the first aspect. Said package is preferably a package for an edible product, a foodstuff, a beverage or a pharmaceutical.

EXAMPLES

[0079] The inventors have performed extensive experimental work using a non-modified PVOH layer as reference, obtaining improved barrier properties at high relative humidity.

Materials

[0080] PET-plastic films were used as the substrate in rod coating experiments. Duplex 370 carton board (BillerudKorsnas AB, Sweden) was used as the substrate in curtain coating experiments (the brown side of the board was coated).

[0081] KURARAY POVAL® 15-99 (Kuraray America Inc.) was used as the PVOH in the experiments presented in Table 1 below and in FIGS. 2-5. This polymer has a degree of hydrolysis of 99% and a viscosity of 12.5-17.5 mPa.Math.s (measured at 4% (w/w)), estimated M.sub.w=about 100 kg/mol. The following PVOHs were also used in the experiment presented in FIG. 3:

[0082] POVAL 6/98, M.sub.w=47 kg/mol (visc. at 4% (w/w)=4-5 mPas);

[0083] Mowiol 10/98 M.sub.w=61 kg/mol (visc. at 4% (w/w)=9-11 mPas);

[0084] Mowiol 20/98 M.sub.w=125 kg/mol (visc. at 4% (w/w)=9-11 mPas);

[0085] Poval 28/99 M.sub.w=145 kg/mol (visc. at 4% (w/w)=26-30 mPas); and

[0086] Poly(vinyl alcohol), Sigma Aldrich product nr. 363146 M.sub.w=85-124 kg/mol.

In the reference experiment presented in FIG. 3G, Exceval AQ4104 (kuraray), which is an EVOH quality having an estimated M.sub.w of 70 kg/mol, was used.

[0087] Other components were: [0088] CLOISITE®-Na+ (Southern Clay Products/BYK Additives & Instruments), which is a micro-granulated nanofiller; and [0089] LUTENSOL® ON70 (BASF/BTC Europe GmbH), which is a fatty alcohol ethoxylate.

[0090] Interpolymers: [0091] Nonionic polyacrylamide from Sigma Aldrich with Mn of about 40 kg/mol (NPA.sub.low) and 150 kg/mol (NPA.sub.high) corresponding to M.sub.w about 74 kg/mol and 400 kg/mol, respectively. [0092] Poly(methyl vinyl ether-alt-maleic acid) with Mn of about 960 kg/mol (PMV.sub.high) and 80 kg/mol (PMV.sub.low) corresponding to M.sub.w about 1980 kg/mol and 216 kg/mol, respectively, was kindly provided by Ashland Global Specialty Chemicals Inc; [0093] Polyacrylic acid with M.sub.w of about 250 kg/mol (PAA.sub.low) and about 1300 kg/mol (PAA.sub.high); and [0094] Polyvinyl pyrrolidone with M.sub.w of 29 kg/mol (PVP.sub.low), 360 kg/mol (PVP.sub.m) and 1300 kg/mol (PVP.sub.high). In addition, a PVP having an M.sub.w of 55 kg/mol was included in the experiment presented in FIG. 3C.

[0095] Tap water was used in all experiments.

Methods

1. Preparation of Polymer Solutions in Laboratory Scale (for Rheological Studies)

[0096] The PVOH-PMV, PVOH-PAA and PVOH-PVP solutions were prepared by adding the polymers to water under continuous stirring at room temperature, prior to heating for one hour at 95° C.

[0097] PVOH-NPA solutions were prepared by first preparing stock solutions of the different polymers. PVOH (ca 9% (w/w)) was prepared by mixing at 95° C. for one hour, and NPA stock solution (1% (w/w)) was prepared through continuous stirring overnight at room temperature. The NPA was added to the PVOH solution at 60° C. under stirring. The system was thereafter removed from the heater and stirred for an additional period of ten minutes.

2. Preparation of Polymer Solutions in Laboratory Scale (for Barrier Studies)

[0098] A similar protocol as in the previous section was employed for the preparation of the polymer blends. However, in the studies in which nanofiller (CLOISITE®-Na+) was employed, the nanofiller was first dispersed in water during ten minutes, before the addition of the polymers and subsequent heating. LUTENSOL® N070 (0.4% (w/w)) was added to the polymer blends at 40° C.

3. Preparation of Polymer Solutions in Semi-Pilot Scale (for Barrier Studies)

[0099] An industrial boiling kettle with a capacity of 50 liters was employed. The preparation of the different polymer blends was conducted in a similar manner as described above. The amount of LUTENSOL® N070 was 0.4% w/w in the curtain coating formulations. The optimal amount of LUTENSOL® for each of the polymer blends was not investigated.

4. Coating of the Substrate with PVOH-Based Formulations

[0100] In laboratory scale experiments, the polymeric solutions were applied on the plastic substrate by a laboratory rod-coater. The coating was thereafter dried by IR.

[0101] In a semi-pilot scale set-up, the coating was performed using a laboratory-scale curtain coater. The conveyer speed was about 6.5 m/s and the pumping rate about 3 l/min. The resulting coated substrates were dried at 60° C. for 20 min in a laboratory oven.

5. Rheological Studies

[0102] The shear viscosity of polymer suspensions was measured at 25° C. using a rheometer (TA Instruments Ltd., Delaware, USA) with bob and cup geometry (smooth surfaces). The viscosities were measured in the range of 10-1000 s.sup.−1.

6. Barrier Properties

[0103] The OTR (measured at 80% RH/23° C.) of the coated films were measured using an OX-TRAN® instrument from Mocon Inc. according to ASTM F1927-07. The oxygen permeation rates (OP) of the different systems were calculated by normalization of the measured OTR values with the thickness of the coating. Preliminary thickness values were obtained by SEM measurements. For the SEM measurements, a sample was molded in an epoxy resin to permeate the material's pore system to encase the film. The specimen was then cut to expose a fresh surface, and that surface was then polished using a series of successively finer grades of diamond paste. The cross section was then analyzed by SEM.

8. Evaluation with Regard to Pinholes

[0104] The brown side of Duplex 370 carton board (BillerudKorsnas AB, Sweden) was coated with the experimental compositions using curtain coating. The pinhole test was performed according to the INS-06271-v.2.0 protocol.

Results

[0105] The optimum compositions of PVOH and different IPCFA:s were identified by rheological studies. The optimum concentrations of different polymers are presented in FIG. 2, which includes the IPCFAs PVP.sub.m, PVP.sub.high, PAA.sub.low, PMV.sub.high, PMV.sub.low, NPA.sub.low and NPA.sub.high. FIG. 2 shows low optimum concentrations for the IPCFAs having a M.sub.w below 1980 kg/mol and particularly low optimum concentrations for the IPCFAs having a M.sub.w1300 kg/mol, but above 74 kg/mol.

[0106] The shear viscosity at 10 s.sup.−1 as a function of molecular weight and concentration of PVP in different PVOH qualities are shown in FIG. 3A-F. FIG. 3F also includes PAA.sub.low. Notably, optimum concentrations could only be observed for the PVOH qualities having a M.sub.w above 61 kg/mol, but below 145 kg/mol. For the EVOH-like quality having an estimated M.sub.w of 70 kg/mol, no optimum concentration of PVP.sub.m could be observed in the range of 0-10% (see FIG. 3G).

[0107] FIG. 5 shows the OTR reaches an optimum (lowest point) at the same IPCFA concentration as the peak in viscosity. Hence conclusion regarding oxygen barrier properties can be drawn from FIG. 3.

[0108] Table 1 presents the OTR of coated films prepared in laboratory scale experiments by rod coating, and the OTR of coated carton board in semi-pilot scale by curtain coating. Based on the optimizations, the IPCFAs were used in the following concentrations: PMV about 2.5% (w/w), NPA about 2% (w/w), PAA about 1% (w/w) and PVP about 2.5% (w/w). The comparison of OTR.sub.rod and OTR.sub.cur indicates similar trends, that is that the barrier properties are improved by the inclusion of small amounts of IPCFA. The pH was adjusted in a number of experiments, and the pH values indicated with “*” are the actual pH of the system without pH-adjustment.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 OTR (ml/m.sup.2 day atm) of coated films (at 23° C.) Rod coating Curtain coating OTR OTR OTR OTR Barrier 50% 80% OTR.sub.80/ 50% 80% OTR.sub.80/ composition pH RH RH OTR.sub.50 d RH RH OTR.sub.50 d PVOH 7* 5 10  2 1.8 6 11  2 1.6 PVOH 10% 7* 3 7 2 1.8 2 6 3 1.6 (w/w) nanofiller PVOH-PMV.sub.low 4* N/A 5 N/A 1.8 2 5 2 1.7 PVOH-PMV.sub.low 3  N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 9 N/A 1.7 PVOH-PMV.sub.low 5  N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 9 N/A 1.6 PVOH-PMV.sub.low 5* 3 7 2 1.9 2 5 2 1.6 10% (w/w) nanofiller PVOH-PMV.sub.low 4  5 N/A N/A N/A 2 10  5 1.6.sup.§ 10% (w/w) nanofiller PVOH-NPA.sub.high 7* 3 6 2 1.3 N/A 8 N/A 1.6.sup.§ PVOH-NPA.sub.high 7* N/A 8 N/A 1.5 N/A N/A N/A 1.6.sup.§ 10% (w/w) nanofiller PVOH-PAA.sub.low 5* N/A N/A N/A N/A 2 5 2 1.6.sup.§ PVOH-PAA.sub.low   5.5* N/A N/A N/A N/A 3 4 1 1.6.sup.§ 10% (w/w) nanofiller PVOH-PVP.sub.m 7* 3 6 2 N/A N/A N/A N/A 1.6.sup.§ PVOH-PVP.sub.m 7* N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 9 N/A 1.6.sup.§ 10% (w/w) nanofiller d means thickness (μm) of the PVOH-based gas barrier layer as measured by SEM .sup.§Value estimated based on applied amount

[0109] When evaluating the results, it should also be kept in mind that the coating thickness (as measured by SEM) was in the order of 1-2 μm. It should also be emphasized that the experimental methods have not been fully optimized, and the properties of the barrier layers have been determined when testing the layers individually, and not in a sandwich construction as they would be used in the packaging industry. Depending on the requirements of the specific packaging, various barrier layers can be combined, for example layer with good moisture barrier properties can be used to protect a layer with good oxygen barrier properties, but with lower resistance to moisture. While the aim of the present disclosure is however to make available a barrier layer with improved oxygen barrier properties also at high moisture conditions, such layers can of course be used in combination with other layers.

[0110] The results indicate that highly desirable barrier properties, in particular barrier properties at high relative humidity, can be achieved by a process which is well suited for industrial application. Further, the use of nanofillers and interpolymer complexation agents can be minimized. It may also be possible to produce barrier layers which do not need to be covered with additional protecting layers, which is required in many competing processes.

REFERENCES

[0111] WO 2004/089624—Packaging; Arnoldus J. Kruger and Patricia A. Truter [0112] WO 2013/064500—Coating composition, a method for coating a substrate, a coated substrate, a packaging material and a liquid packaging; Johan Larsson and Anders Karlsson [0113] Labuschagne P W, Germishuizen W A, C. Verryn S M, Moolman F S (2008), Improved oxygen barrier performance of poly(vinyl alcohol) films through hydrogen bond complex with poly(methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic acid), European Polymer Journal 44:2146-2152 doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2008.04.015 [0114] Lim M, Kim D, Seo J (2016), Enhanced oxygen-barrier and water-resistance properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) blended with poly(acrylic acid) for packaging applications, Polymer International 65:400-406 doi:10.1002/pi.5068