Study on properties of soy protein adhesive enhanced by halloysite nanotubes

In this paper, halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) are used to enhance the bonding properties and water resistance of soy protein adhesives. HNTs are modified by KH560 marked as KH560-HNTs and dispersed in the adhesive matrix by ultrasonic-mechanical combination meanly, exploring the optimal addition amount of KH560-HNTs in the adhesive matrix and preparing a nanocomposite adhesive with uniform texture and exceptional properties. The results show that KH560-HNTs can significantly improve the bonding strength and thermal stability of SPI. The optimal addition of KH560-HNTs is 2%, meanwhile, the dry and wet bonding strengths are 1.63 MPa and 1.44 MPa, which increased by 34.71% and 102.82%, respectively, compared with that of soybean protein adhesive (SPI-0). Therefore, KH560-HNTs can be used to prepare environmentally friendly and excellent performance soy protein adhesives. In addition, the results can provide a research basis for the preparation of functional soy protein adhesives by loading additives in HNTs.