The invention provides coated substrates comprising a substrate and a barrier coating on at least one surface of the substrate. The barrier coating comprises (i) vermiculite, (ii) polymer capable of forming a film, (iii) chemical stabilizing agent selected from materials that contain cationic functionality selected from lithium, alkyl C2-C6 ammonium, allyl ammonium, heterocylclic ammonium, morpholonium, ammonium and amino C3-C6 alkyl carboxylic acids; lithium cations in combination with anions selected from carboxylic, phosphoric, phosphonic, sulfonic and fatty acids, lithium chelating agents, and lithium salts, ammonia, C3-C6 amine, heterocyclic amines, lithium hydroxide, morpholine, and morpholine oleate; and (iv) cross-linking agent. The invention also provides articles coated with such coatings, methods and mixtures for making such coated substrates and articles.