Preparation and properties of novel melt-blended halloysite nanotubes/wheat starch nanocomposites

► Melt-blending is an efficient process to disperse halloysites in plasticized starch. ► Addition of halloysites enhances the mechanical properties of the plasticized starch. ► Halloysites increases the tensile strength without sacrificing the ductility. ► Enhanced properties were correlated with the microstructure of the nanocomposites.