Fabrication and Properties of Acid Treated Carbon Nanotubes Reinforced Soy Protein Nanocomposites

Acid treated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were incorporated into glycerol plasticized soy protein to form MWNTs/soy protein nanocomposite plastics. The influence of the polar groups grafted on carbon nanotubes by acid treatment on the compatibility would be studied. The results showed that aggregation of carbon nanotubes was reduced by acid treatment and some polar groups were grafted on the nanotubes. The modified MWNTs were dispersed in soy protein matrix homogeneously and exhibited good compatibility with soy protein matrix. The crystalline structure of soy protein was not changed by MWNTs. The mechanical properties were dramatically enhanced through MWNTs incorporation due to the strong hydrogen bonding between them and the homogeneously dispersion of MWNTs in protein matrix, indicating the reinforcing effect of MWNTs in soy protein matrix. The water uptake was reduced and the thermal stability was enhanced by MWNTs incorporation.