Intercalation of ciprofloxacin accompanied by dehydration in rectorite

► Uptake of Ciprofloxacin (CIP) by rectorite is via a cation exchange process. ► CIP uptake is mainly in the interlayer sites, resulting in intercalation of CIP+. ► CIP+ intercalation into montmorillonite component caused interlayer dehydration. ► Different configurations may be adopted at low and high CIP uptake levels.