Silicon oxide (SiO
x
) films are widely used as barrier layers in different types of commodity packaging and have caught the interest of manufacturers and researchers alike owing to their high barrier functionality, good acid and alkali resistance, ability to withstand high-temperature and microwave treatments, and good transparency. In this study, we first synthesized polylactic acid (PLA) films by extrusion calendaring and then deposited a SiO
x
layer on the PLA films by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition to prepare SiO
x
/PLA composite films. We then evaluated the barrier functionality of the SiO
x
layer and elucidated its underlying mechanism. We also analyzed its effect on the mechanical properties of the composite films by comparing the oxygen and water vapor transmission rates, soil degradation performances, and surface morphologies of the two types of synthesized films (uncoated and coated with SiO
x
). The results showed that, because of the SiO
x
layer, the barrier properties and mechanical properties of the SiO
x
/PLA composite films were better than those of the uncoated films. In particular, the oxygen and water vapor transmission rates of the composite films were approximately 8–10 and 6–8 times lower, respectively, than those of the uncoated PLA films. In addition, the SiO
x
layer lowered the rate of soil degradation of the composite films, owing to which the weight-loss rates of the composite films were also lower than those of the uncoated films. Further, the tensile strengths and elongations at break of the composite films were higher because of the SiO
x
layer. Graphical
The hydrophobic modification of cellulose nanofibers (CNF) was carried out via free radical polymerization using methyl methacrylate (MMA) as the monomer to improve the compatibility between CNF and poly lactic acid (PLA). Followed by the preparation of the novel nanocomposites in combination of the organic montmorillonite and the substrate. The resulting nanocomposites were then coated on paper surface using a cast-coating process in an attempt to improve the barrier properties towards water vapor and oxygen. In addition, the composite films are prepared via a solution casting method. The water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), water vapor permeability (WVP), oxygen transmission rate (OTR), and tensile strength of the as-prepared films were systematically measured. The corresponding results demonstrated that the WVTR, WVP and OTR decreased with the addition of a certain content of MCNF in coatings. 0.2 wt% MCNF is the optimum content, showing the best gas resistance and tensile performance. The lowest value of WVTR and WVP are 10.30 g/(m 2 ⋯24 h) and 3306.58 g⋯μm/(m 2 ⋯24 h) for films with 0.2 wt% MCNF added, which is 88.23% and 26.05% lower than that of PLA composite film without NFC.