A new hectorite/poly(AM/IA) nanocomposite hydrogel was synthesized by inverse microemulsion polymerization. Influences of hectorite content on water absorbency and salt solution absorbency, swellability, pH-sensitivity, gel strength and temperature-resistance of the nanocomposite hydrogel were investigated. Water and salt solution absorbencies, pH-sensitivity and swellability decreased while gel strength and temperature-resistance of the nanocomposite hydrogel increased with increasing hectorite content. The as-synthesized hydrogel particles were regular and spherical-like in shape and had the average particle size of 43 nm with the range of 30-65 nm. Hectorite clay platelets were exfoliated and transformed into amorphous structure within the polymeric networks.