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.