Aminated chitosan/cellulose nanocomposite microspheres designed for efficient removal of low-concentration sulfamethoxazole from water

•ACNM prepared by in-situ solid phase grafting method to remove SMX from water.•SMX was adsorbed into ACNM by the electrostatic interaction and the hydrogen bond.•The 10 mg L−1 SMX adsorption on ACNM could reached the equilibrium in 30 min.•The removal rate of SMX was 99.2%, and adsorption capacity was 13.59 mg g−1.•Recyclability studies shown the retention of 96.8% efficiency after 3 cycles.