Superabsorbent polymer nanocomposites (SAPCs) are very promising and versatile materials for biomedical applications. In this research work, we focused on a novel nanocellulose-based SAPC, poly(acrylic acid-co-2-hyderoxy ethyl methacrylate)-grafted cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) composite, P(AA-co-HEMA)-g-CNC as a potential drug delivery vehicle and a dye adsorbent. Ceftriaxone and crystal violet were selected as a model drug and dye, respectively. P(AA-co-HEMA)-g-CNC was synthesized by graft copolymerization reaction and the product was characterized by FTIR spectroscopy. A proposed mechanism for SAPC formation was suggested and the morphology of the sample was studied by SEM spectroscopy. The swelling of SAPCs was examined in buffer solutions with pH ranged 4-12. The product exhibited a pH-responsiveness character so that a swelling-deswelling pulsatile behavior was recorded at pHs 2 and 8. Drug loading efficiency and drug release profiles of the P(AA-co-HEMA)-g-CNC as well as the dye adsorption behavior were studied in detail. Maximum drug encapsulation efficiency and dye adsorption capacity were found to be 89% and 231 mg g 21 , respectively. Conclusively, the obtained results indicated that the synthesized SAPCs could be successfully used as promising drug delivery systems and dye adsorbent materials in wastewater treatment. POLYM. COMPOS., 00:000-000,