Abstract: Nanocomposite material derived from Nanomers formed by contacting a layered material, e.g., a nanoclay, with a surface treatment polymer to sorb (intercalate) the polymer between adjacent nanoclay layers. Sufficient surface treatment polymer is adsorbed between the nanolayers to expand them to a spacing of at least 10Å, and up to a distance of 100 Å, so that the Nanomer can be exfoliated when mixed with a thermoplastic or thermosetting matrix polymer melt to form a nanocomposite.