Synthesis of Novolac/Layered Silicate Nanocomposites by Reaction Exfoliation Using Acid‐Modified Montmorillonite

Novolac/layered silicate nanocomposites were synthesized by condensation polymerization of phenol and formaldehyde catalyzed by H‐montmorillonite (H‐MMT). Exfoliation of the clay was investigated by X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It turned out that the intra‐gallery condensation of phenol and formaldehyde played a predominant role in the exfoliation of MMT. Exfoliated clay plates with interlayer spacings of 10–30 nm were dispersed in the matrix uniformly as shown by the TEM micrograph.