Organically modified montmorillonites obtained by cation exchange from the same natural layered silicate were studied. The surface properties of the pristine and a series of organically modified clays were determined by inverse gas chromatography and the water adsorption mechanisms were studied by a gravimetric technique coupled with a microcalori meter. A significant increase of the specific surface area, a decrease of the water adsorption, and a decrease of the dispersive component of the surface energy were observed when the sodium cations of the natural montmorillonite were exchanged for a quaternary ammonium. Slighter differences in surface properties were observed, on the other hand, between the different types of organically modified montmorillonites. Indeed, similar dispersive components of the surface energy were determined on the organoclays. Nevertheless, the specific surface area increased in the range 48-80 m(2)/g with increasing d-spacing values and the presence of specific groups attached to the quaternary ammonium, such as phenyl rings or hydroxyl groups, led to some specific behaviors, i.e., a more pronounced base character and a higher water adsorption at high activity, respectively. Differences in interlayer cation chain organization, denoted as crystallinity, were also observed as a function of the nature of the chains borne by the quaternary ammonium. In a later step, polyethylene-based nanocomposites were prepared with those organically modified montmorillonites. The clay dispersion and the barrier properties of the nanocomposites were discussed as a function of the montmorillonite characteristics and of the matrix/montmorillonite interactions expected from surface energy characterization. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.