This study examines the use of laponite, a synthetic smectite, which forms exfoliated silicate layers when dispersed in water, as an inorganic support for titania nanocrystals. Titania nanocrystals are prepared prior to addition to the clay dispersion, by a sol-gel synthesis incorporating a microwave hydrothermal step. The characteristics of the resultant structure such as titania phase, crystallite size, and particulate size are examined 4 via X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron spectroscopy (TEM), and infrared spectroscopy. (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.