Abstract: Nanocomposites are manufactured by combining a host material, such as an organic solvent or a matrix polymer and exfoliated Nanomers formed by contacting a nanoclay with a polymer to sorb (intercalate) the polymer between adjacent nanoclay layers. Sufficient polymer is adsorbed between the nanoclay layers to expand them to a spacing of at least 5Å, and up to100Å, so that the Nanomer can be exfoliated to form a nanocompsite.