The extraction of Pd(II) over Cu(II) from aqueous solutions by diethylenetriamine functionalized silica particles with superparamagnetic nanosized magnetite core (FeSiDETA) was compared to that of bare magnetite and silica coated magnetite (FeSi). FeSiDETA was found to quantitatively and selectively (at pH <4) extract Pd(II) ions as compared to the magnetite and FeSi with a considerable improvement in material robustness with regards to iron dissolution. FeSiDETA particles could potentially provide ion exchanger surface areas orders of magnitude greater than conventional ion exchangers and offer alternative novel magnetic processing techniques.