It is shown that the intercalation of [Europium(bipyridine)213, into bentonite results in a new nanocomposite which preserves the emission properties of Europium (111). The exchange of sodium by europium in bentonite is correlated with the cation exchange capacity and molecular size. The intercalated complex exhibits luminescence where both the 2,2-bipyridine "antenna" effect and the intensity maxima are comparable to the free complex suggesting that clay intercalated with rare earths may results in novel optical materials. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.