Johannes Voß and Linda Rockmann from Halik’s team developed functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles with specific magnetic properties for this purpose; their surfaces were specifically modified so that they can bind different PFAS. Focus on Ubiquitous Microplastics The new study by Halik’s team expands the potential applications of magnetic water purification to include another highly relevant class of contaminants. Other iron oxide nanoparticles that Halik’s team worked with can be regenerated after magnetic separation and reused multiple times. In addition, the iron oxide particles are technically scalable and non-toxic. “Our technology thus spans the spectrum from molecular contaminants to microscopic particles and underscores the potential of functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles as a versatile and sustainable platform for water treatment—including water samples with complex contamination,” explains Professor Halik.