A method of preparing a fiber-reinforced polymer composite is provided. The method includes (a) providing a swollen clay material; (b) chemically modifying a surface of the swollen clay material with an organosilane to form a silane-modified clay material; (c) intercalating the silane-modified clay material with a binder to form an intercalated clay material; and (d) melt compounding the intercalated clay material with a mixture comprising a polymer and fiber to form the fiber-reinforced polymer composite. A fiber-reinforced polymer composite is also provided.