The montmorillonite has been subjected to modification through ion-exchange reaction by N,N'-didodecyl-N,N'-tetramethylethanediammoniumdiiodide (DEDMAI). The modified sample was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The basal spacing of modified montmorillonite was determined as 28.72 angstrom. The IR spectra of organomontmorillonite showed changes in C-H vibrations. The characterization of N,N'-didodecyl-N,N'-tetramethylethanediammonium montmorillonite (DEDMAM) and the adsorption of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 2,4-dichlorophenoxybutyric acid (2,4-DB), 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid (MCPA), and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) on organomontmorillonite was studied as a function of the solution concentration. The adsorption energy (E) and adsorption capacity (q(m)) for phenoxyalkanoic acid herbicides adsorbing on organomontmorillonite (DEDMAM) were estimated using the Dubinin-Radushkevic (D-R) equation. These isotherms were modeled according to Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevic adsorption isotherms. The sorption of the herbicides on DEDMAM increased in order of MCPA < 2,4-D < 2,4-DB < 2,4,5-T. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.