Adsorption of toluene, ethylbenzene and m-xylene on multi-walled carbon nanotubes with different oxygen contents from aqueous solutions

► We have found the adsorption capacity of TEX has related with oxygen content on MWCNTs surface. ► The overall decrease in TEX adsorption indicates that water cluster formation played a more important role in the TEX adsorption. ► The adsorption capacities of TEX on CNTs-3.2%O reflects good stability.