Given the typically low concentrations of target metals relative to competing ions, our research focuses on highly selective extraction techniques. We utilize advanced selective phases such as crown ethers (CEs) and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which exhibit strong affinity and specificity for desired metal ions. By anchoring these selective ligands onto magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), we enable efficient separation and recovery of the entire complex from water using an external magnetic field—eliminating the need for energy-intensive filtration or chemical precipitation.

This magnetically assisted, ligand-driven recovery system not only enhances selectivity and efficiency but also aligns with the principles of green chemistry and circular resource use. Our vision is to transform water-based metal recovery into a scalable, low-impact technology that supports both industrial innovation and environmental stewardship.

Key publications:

Bemetz, J.; Wegemann, A.; Saatchi, K.; Haase, A.; Häfeli, U.O.; Niessner, R.; Gleich, B.; Seidel, M. Microfluidic-Based Synthesis of Magnetic Nanoparticles Coupled with Miniaturized NMR for Online Relaxation Studies. Analytical Chemistry, 2018, 90, 16, 9975-9982. 
DOI:10.1021/acs.analchem.8b02374 

Nistler, A.; Hartmann, C.; Rümenapp, C.; Opel, M.; Gleich, B.; Niessner, R.; Seidel, M.; Production and characterization of long-term stable superparamagnetic iron oxide-shell silica-core nanocomposites. Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials, 2017, 442, 497-503. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmmm.2017.07.005

Rieger, M.; Schaumann, G.E.; Mouvenchery, Y.K.; Niessner, R.; Seidel, M.; Baumann, T., Development of antibody-labelled superparamagnetic nanoparticles for the visualisation of benzo[a]pyrene in porous media with magnetic resonance imaging. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 2012, 403, 2529-2540. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-012-6044-1