Flexible transparent self-standing binderless clay film prepared by hydrothermally-treated synthetic clay

A transparent flexible self-standing film with high heat resistance was formed from hydrothermally-treated synthetic clay without binders; the hydrothermal treatment engendered the clay particle growth; the treatment at 400 °C yielded the enlarged particles over 10 000 nm, which were 300 times as larges as those of the original clay. The film prepared by the particles showed the good film formability/flexibility that originated from the change in the stacking structure affected by the particle size.