Fast adsorption kinetics of highly dispersed ultrafine nickel/carbon nanoparticles for organic dye removal

•Ultrafine Ni/C nanoparticles are synthesized by electrical wire explosion process.•Ni/C nanoparticles exhibit superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature.•Basic adsorption properties of Ni/C nanoparticles are evaluated.•Excellent dispersity of Ni/C nanoparticles leads to superior adsorption rates.