The potential of thermally treated organobentonites to adsorb organic compounds from water

► Quaternary ammonium-exchanged bentonites heated in air at different temperatures. ► Adsorption of organic compounds from water on thermally modified organobentonites. ► Mild heating of organoclays may enhance interactions with organic adsorbates. ► Organoclays heated above 150 °C may decompose but preserve strong adsorptive potential. ► Carbon loss during thermal regeneration of organoclays should not be necessarily linked to the drop in their adsorptive efficacy.