Rectorite (REC) powders modified by butadiene-styrene-vinyl pyridine rubber (VPR) were prepared by spray drying, designated as REC-VPRs. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses showed that in the REC-VPRs, VPR did not intercalate into the intergallery of layers. However, compared with REC, the layers of REC-VPRs had more wrinkles and piled loosely. To strengthen the interfacial interaction between VPR and REC, a REC-VPR was treated by volatilized hydrochloric acid, resulting in the formation of ion bonds between REC and VPR, according to Fourier transform infrared spectra measurements. XRD analyses revealed that the intercalated structure emerged in acid treated REC-VPR filled styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR). However, the better dispersion was observed for the SBR composite filled with REC-VPR without acid treatment, indicating that a proper interfacial interaction between REC and VPR is the key to improve the dispersion of REC layers in SBR. Acid treatment did not improve the tensile and tear strengths of the SBR composite filled with REC-VPR. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci., 2012