Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) remaining in nature cause cancer and immune system abnormalities. To remove PAH in water, sorption technology is one of most widely used methods. In this study, we present the sorption efficiency of phenanthrene and pyrene using hydrophobic cellulose derivatives as adsorbent material. Benzoyl cellulose and strearoyl cellulose were successfully synthesized by reacting cellulose with benzoyl and stearoyl chlorides in dimethylacetamide. The sorption efficiency of the synthesized cellulose derivatives was compared with original cellulose, and the reusability of present adsorbents was investigated. This study provides the potential application of carbohydrate based materials in environmental industry.