Water purification is of extreme importance to modem society. Organoclays through adsorption of recalcitrant organics provides one mechanism for the removal of these molecules. The organoclay was synthesised through ion exchange with dimethyldioctadecyl ammonium bromide labeled as DDOAB of formula (CH3(CH2)(17))(2)NBr(CH3)(2). Paranitrophenol (pnp) was adsorbed on the organoclay at a range of concentrations according to the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the host montmorillonite. The paranitrophenot in solution was analysed by a UV-260 spectrophotometer at 317 nm, with detection limits being 0.05 mg/L. The expansion of the montmorillonite was studied by a combination of X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Upon adsorption of the paranitrophenol the basal spacing decreased. The thermal stability of the organoclay was determined by a combination of thermogravimetry and infrared emission spectroscopy. The surfactant molecule DDOAB combusts at 166, 244, and 304 degrees C and upon intercalation into Na-montmorillonite is retained up to 389 degrees C thus showing the organoclay is stable to significantly high temperatures well above the combustion/decomposition temperature of the organoclay. (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.