The immobilization of organically modified cadmium selenide on montmorillonite was investigated by the reaction of modified cadmium selenide nanoparticles with montmorillonite. The intercalation of the nanoparticles was indicated by the expansion of the interlayer space and spectroscopic observations. The diffuse reflectance absorption spectrum of the product showed absorption onset at 567 nm. In comparison to the bulk cadmium selenide, the blue shift of the absorption onset of the hybrid was ascribed to the quantum size effect of the modified cadmium selenide nanoparticles. This study provides a new method for introducing nanoparticles into the interlayer space of layered inorganic materials. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.