ABSTRACTStimuli responsive polymeric hydrogel composites were synthesized by room temperature copolymerization of N-isopropyl acrylamide and methylene bisacrylamide (crosslinking monomer) in an aqueous suspension of Na-montmorillonite. Hydrogels containing 3.5 weight % of montmorillonite exhibited a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) similar to unmodified PNIPAM hydrogel (approximately 32°C), and underwent a reversible 60–70% volume shrinkage when heated from ambient temperature to above the LCST. However, hydrogels containing 10 weight% montmorillonite did not exhibit a measurable LCST, and underwent considerably less shrinkage when heated. A solvent exchange reaction was used to replace the water with an acrylic monomer, which was polymerized in-situ to create a delaminated montmorillonite/polymer nanocomposite.