A series of nanocomposite hydrogels for mucoadhesive were prepared from acrylic acid, poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate, and intercalated bentonite clay by photopolymerization. The microstructures were identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Results showed that the swelling ratio for the present nanocomposite hydrogels decreased with an increase of bentonite, whereas the gel strength and Young's modulus of the present gels increased with an increase of bentonite. However, the adhesive force of the present gels did not decrease with an increase of bentonite. XRD results indicated that the exfoliation of bentonite was achieved in the xerogels and swollen gels. Finally, the drug-release behaviors for these gels were also assessed. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.