A nanocomposite based on nanoclay and resol that was modified with cardanol, a natural alkyl phenol, shows improvement for the glass-fiber-reinforced epoxy-composite system. Dispersion of the nanocomposite was investigated by X-ray, showing good results obtained by the in situ polymerization method. The mechanical properties of the final composites were improved by doping a 6 wt% of nanoclay in cardanol-modified-resol (CMR) into the epoxy matrix. The results show that a 15 wt% of CMR in epoxy is a most suitable ratio. Using polyamide as a curing agent instead of other traditional systems, such as anhydrides or amines for epoxy resin, overcame important limitations, further allowing for improved processability. The overall composite performance was enhanced. Additionally, the thermal stability of the system was investigated by thermal gravimetric analysis.

Anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) nano-templates are used in many fields of nanotechnology, particularly for use in creation of nanowires and nanotubes. In this research, the method for fabricating AAO nano-templates in two different electrolyte solutions (sulfuric acid and oxalic acid) via two step anodization procedure is presented. The influence of parameters related to both anodization steps such as the electrolyte, solution temperature, voltage and time on the pore size, porous distance and pore density was investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the nano-templates also pointed out the effectiveness of this anodization method. The synthesis of carbon nanostructures from a polymeric precursor such as epoxy via fully filling the nanoporous AAO templates is reported. The prepared nanowires and nanotubes have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy and SEM. The results show the typical morphology and properties of multiwall carbon nanotubes and other nanostructures.