Low-cost urea formaldehyde resin (UF)/reactive halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) nanocomposite adhesive was prepared successfully via in situ polymerization. The HNTs were modified to improve its compatibility with polymer. The XRD and FTIR results showed that physical and chemical interaction between the HNTs and polymer resin influenced the structure of UF owing to the functional groups on the HNTs. It is found from SEM images that the modified HNTs could be dispersed uniformly in the resin and the nanocomposite particles were spherical. The performance experiment confirmed that thermal stability of nanocomposite increased largely, formaldehyde emission of UF wood adhesive reduced 62%, and water resistance of UF wood adhesive improved by 84%. Meanwhile, the content of HNTs on the nanocomposites could be up to 60 wt %. The mechanism of the nanocomposites based on the reactive HNTs was proposed. The approach of the preparation could supply an idea to prepare other polymer/clay nanocomposites.

PMMA/reactive halloysite nanocomposites were firstly prepared using reactive halloysite with double bonds. The halloysite was functionalized to improve its dispersion in the polymer matrix. The reactive halloysite could increase the molecular weight of PMMA. The molecular distribution of PMMA/reactive halloysite nanocomposite was more uniform than that of PMMA. The moisture absorption of PMMA/reactive halloysite nanocomposite increased with the addition of the reactive halloysite. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) confirmed that the thermal stability of PMMA/reactive halloysite nanocomposites was greatly enhanced. Significant improvement in the mechanical property of PMMA nanocomposites was achieved by the addition of 3 wt % reactive halloysite. A 31.1% increase in tensile strength and a 64.2% increase in Young’ modulus of the nanocomposites with 3 wt % of the reactive halloysite were achieved. Finally, the formation mechanism of PMMA/reactive halloysites nanocomposites was proposed. This approach demonstrated the potential for general applicability to other polymer nanocomposites.