PNIPAM/montmorillonite(MMT) composite hydrogels were synthesized by radiation polymerization.Effects of the MMT on swelling and compressive properties of the hydrogels were investigated.The results showed that MMT could increase early swelling rate and balanced swelling rate of the composite hydrogel

but it did not change intrinsic environmental response performance and swelling mechanism of the hydrogel.The PNIPAM and PNIPAM/MMT hydrogels are of the same temperature sensitivity.The lower critical solution temperature(LCST) is about 32°C and the swelling mechanism also follows Fickian diffusion model

i.e diffusion of water molecule determines the swelling of hydrogels.Compression performance of the PNIPAM/MMT composite hydrogels was improved with the use of MMT and compression performance of composite hydrogels took on the upward trend with the increase of MMT content.