The present invention relates to a splayed material comprising a layered material splayed with a particle having a diameter equal to or less than 3 micrometers. Another embodiment of the invention includes an article comprising a matrix and a layered material splayed with a polymeric particles dispersed in a medium. The invention also relates to methods for preparing these materials via mixing, milling and emulsifying a solvent borne polymer with a surfactant. A further method describes a method for preparing a nanocomposite from a splayant particle prepared by combining an emulsion polymerization monomer and a surfactant dispersible in a medium wherein the monomer is not dispersible in the medium.