Modern solutions in magnetic analytical extractions of metals: A review

The development of new materials has significantly impacted the area of analytical sample preparation. In the last few years, a variety of new materials such as ionic liquids, carbon-based materials, metal and carbon-organic frameworks, and magnetic materials, have been utilized in the separation of analytes from different matrices. Among these, magnetic materials have attracted considerable attention because of their unique magnetic character that facilitates their easy retrieval during the extraction process. Besides, magnetic materials can be functionalized/modified with a variety of other materials to have desired functional moieties for selective extractions and to magnetize other materials for their easy separation. In this review, the existing and emerging magnetic extraction media have been classified based on the functional moieties that play a substantial role in the extraction of metals. This review also offers a critical discussion of the modern trends which are being practiced in magnetic analytical extractions. [Display omitted] •Strategies for magnetic sorbent-based extraction of metals are discussed.•The existing and emerging magnetic media for metal extractions are reviewed.•Materials and factors that contribute toward the selectivity of metal extraction are critically appraised.