This paper reports a new route for the intercalation of an ionic liquid, namely I-ethyl pyridinium chloride, into the interlamellar spaces of kaolinite. The intercalation was achieved using a kaolinite-urea intercalate as a starting material. The results of the XRD, FTIR, and TGA analyses confirmed the intercalation of ethyl pyridinium in the interlamellar spaces of kaolinite. C-13 CP/MAS spectra indicated the complete displacement of urea by ethyl pyridinium. Si-29 and Al-27 NMR spectra of the starting materials and the products are also discussed as well as the results of the elemental analysis of the produced nanohybrid material. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier Inc.