In this study, in situ modified phenol formaldehyde resins were prepared from clay (sepiolite) in the presence of base catalyst. Different clay contents (3 wt%, 5wt%, 8 wt%, 10 wt%, 15wt%, 20wt%, 30wt% and 50 wt%) were used to produce sepiolite modified resol nanocomposite resins (SEP-PFNCRs). SEP-PFNCRs were partially cured by heat and the effects of the curing process and the clay content in the resol resin were determined on the spectroscopic, thermal, and microscopic properties of the final products. The structures of the specimens were characterized by means of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR-ATR) spectroscopy. Thermal properties of the samples were determined with Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA). The dispersion of sepiolite in the resol nanocomposites were examined by X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The obtained samples were also characterized morphologically by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).

No abstract

Alendronic acid modified resol nanocomposite resins (AA‐PFNCRs) and sepiolite modified resol nanocomposite resins (SEP‐PFNCRs) have been synthesized by in situ method in the presence of base catalyst. Additionally, the synergistic effects of alendronic acid and sepiolite clay (AA‐SEP‐PFNCR) on the resol resin have been studied. The structure, morphology, and thermal properties of these nanocomposites have been investigated by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and X‐ray Diffraction (XRD). The results demonstrated the interactions between the fillers and resol resin. Thermal properties of nanocomposite resins were improved due to alendronic acid and sepiolite. The obtained samples were also characterized morphologically by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43807.