Carboxymethyl konjac glucomannan (CKGM)/sodium montmorillonite (MMT) hybrid films of various compositions were prepared by casting from a polymer/silicate water suspension. The structure and properties of the hybrid films were investigated by wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy (ATR-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and tensile tests. The results from WXRD and TEM indicated that an intercalated CKGM/MMT nanocomposite film was obtained by polymer solution intercalation. WXRD and DSC showed that the high-T-m crystal phase was induced by the presence of lower MMT loading, but the T of the hybrid films became weak with the increase of MMT content due to the polymer confinement. The hybrid films showed higher thermal stability and mechanical properties than that of the neat polysaccharide due to the strong interaction between hydroxyl and carbonyl group of CKGM and the silicate layer of MMT. Furthermore, the degree of swelling of the hybrid films was investigated in acidic buffer solutions. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.