A process for delamination of a layered silicate in an aqueous medium includes treating a synthetic or naturally occurring 2:1 clay mineral layered silicate with a delamination agent, and contacting the treated layered silicate with an aqueous medium. An amount of the delamination agent used to treat the layered silicate can be at least equal to the cation exchange capacity of the layered silicate. A delaminated layered silicate can be obtained from the process and provided in a dispersion, a composite, or a barrier.