Adsorption of nicotine from aqueous solution onto hydrophobic zeolite type USY

► The isotherms of nicotine adsorption can be modeled by the Freudlich adsorption isotherm. ► The adsorbed nicotine molecules are in the form of the separated two-dimensional clusters (0.05 ≤ θ ≤ 0.3). ► The continual two-dimensional layer of nicotine adsorbed is formed (θ = 0.5). ► The three-dimensional layer of adsorbed nicotine with structure different then the liquid nicotine is created (θ ≥ 0.7).