Application of linear free energy relationships to characterizing the sorptive characteristics of organic contaminants on organoclays from water

► LFERs were applied to study the sorptive characteristics of organoclays. ► Contribution of each intermolecular interaction to the sorption was calculated. ► Influence of cationic surfactant loading on the sorption capacity was explored. ► Contribution of each LFERs term to the sorption capacity changes with surfactant loading.