The magnetic Ni nanoparticles functionalized water-soluble graphene sheets nanocomposites (Ni@GSs-C(CH3)(2)COONa) 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)(2)COONa 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. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.