A series of nanocomposite hydrogels used for bioadhesive were prepared from acrylic acid, poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate, and intercalated hydrotalcite (HT) by photopolymerization. The microstructures of the intercalated HT and sample gels were identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results showed that the swelling ratio for these nanocomposite hydrogels increased with an increase in HT, but the gel strength and adhesive force for these gels decreased with an increase in HT. The XRD results indicated that the exfoliation of intercalated HT was achieved in the xerogels and swollen gels. Finally, the drug-release behaviors for these gels were also examined. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.