Layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly was used to form polymer/clay complexes on paper to enhance its wet strength properties. Initially, alternating layers of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and Kaolin clay were sequentially deposited on quartz substrate and characterized by UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopy as a model system. The same procedure was then applied to a paper test sheet to form multilayered coatings, which were examined with scanning electron microscopy. The wettability of the LBL coated paper test sheet was shown to change from hydrophilic to hydrophobic with increased number of multilayers and if the terminating layer was Kaolin clay. The wet strength of the coated test sheet was improved by more than 270% over the uncoated test sheet with 16 bilayers of PAH/kaolin complex on the surface. (c) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.