Efficient removal of aniline by a water-compatible microporous and mesoporous hyper-cross-linked resin and XAD-4 resin: A comparative study

► In view of the toxicity of nitrobenzene, 1,2-dichloroethane was used as solvent. ► The BET surface area of water-compatible GQ-03 is up to be 1154.45 m2/g. ► The microporous and mesoporous structure, and hydrogen bonding bring larger adsorption capacity. ► GQ-03 shows an excellent adsorption behavior as an ideal adsorbent.