Compatible blend systems of oxygen barrier polymers and oxygen scavenging polymers

A packaging article, comprising:

• (a) at least one oxygen barrier layer comprising
• a blend of an oxygen barrier polymer and an oxygen scavenging polymer, and
• a photoinitiator,
• wherein the blend comprises from 5% to 30% oxygen scavenging polymer, the oxygen barrier polymer is poly(ethylene/vinyl alcohol) (EVOH), and the oxygen scavenging polymer consists essentially of MXD6;
• and
• (b) a transition metal salt in the oxygen barrier layer or a layer adjacent to the oxygen barrier layer.

A method of making an oxygen barrier composition comprising

• a blend of an oxygen barrier polymer and an oxygen scavenging polymer,
• a photoinitiator, and
• an oxidation catalyst,
• wherein the blend comprises from 5% to 30% oxygen scavenging polymer, the oxygen barrier polymer is poly(ethylene/vinyl alcohol) (EVOH), and the oxygen scavenging polymer consists essentially of MXD6:
• providing the poly(ethylene/vinyl alcohol) (EVOH), the MXD6, and the oxidation catalyst;
• and
• blending the poly(ethylene/vinyl alcohol) (EVOH), the MXD6, and the oxidation catalyst, to form the oxygen barrier composition.

A method of forming an oxygen barrier layer in a packaging article comprising:

• providing an oxygen barrier composition comprising
• a blend of an oxygen barrier polymer and an oxygen scavenging polymer, and
• a photoinitiator,
• wherein the blend comprises from 5% to 30% oxygen scavenging polymer, the oxygen barrier polymer is poly(ethylene/vinyl alcohol) (EVOH), and the oxygen scavenging polymer consists essentially of MXD6:
• forming the composition into packaging article or an oxygen barrier layer thereof;
• and
• forming a transition metal salt into the oxygen barrier layer or a layer adjacent to the oxygen barrier layer of the packaging article.