A method for the manufacture of at least one sorbent having at least two different groups, which are capable of binding, for the selective binding of a substrate, characterized in that it comprises the steps (i) to (ii): (i) determining at least two groups capable of binding a sorbent from a synthetic or natural first substrate, (ii) respectively applying at least two different groups capable of binding a second synthetic or natural substrate to one respective carrier, thereby forming at least one sorbent, whereby the groups are the same groups of step (i) or are groups that are complementary thereto, and the second substrate of step (ii) is the same or different from the first substrate according to step (i), and whereby the groups are determined such that the contributions of the Gibbs energies of the individual groups to the non-covalent bond with the second substrate yield a negative value of the Gibbs energy ΔG, such that a binding strengthening occurs that results in an improved separation selectivity with respect to at least one substance to be separated off.