Fabrication of magnetic Ni nanoparticles functionalized water-soluble graphene sheets nanocomposites as sorbent for aromatic compounds removal

► A simple and efficient approach (the addition of cyano radicals) was designed for improving the water solubility of nanocomposites. ► The nanocomposites possessed high water-soluble and high magnetic sensitivity. ► The nanocomposites displayed rapid absorption rate, high absorption capacity, convenient magnetic separation and re-use property for aromatic compounds. The magnetic Ni nanoparticles functionalized water-soluble graphene sheets nanocomposites (Ni@GSs-C(CH3)2COONa) were fabricated via a facile and mild strategy. We designed a simple and efficient approach (the addition of cyano radicals) to improve the water solubility of nanocomposites. The Ni@GSs-C(CH3)2COONa nanocomposites had great potential as an effective absorbent for removing aromatic compounds from waste water owing to their rapid absorption rate, high absorption capacity, convenient magnetic separation and re-use property.