Sodium bentonite was modified with several organic bis-imidazolium salts. Organoclays with water soluble surfactants were prepared by the traditional cation exchange reaction. The bis-imidazolium-bentonites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), powder X-ray diffraction analysis (PXRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The effect of chemical composition and molecular weight of the salts on the thermal stability and basal spacing were evaluated. The bis-imidazolium-bentonites showed enhanced thermal stability (300-400 degrees C) and may be potentially useful materials for melt processing of polymer/layered silicates nanocomposites. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.