Ion exchange membranes are the heart of the electrodialysis process which is a well known water treatment technology. Herein, a heterogeneous cation exchange membrane (CEM) is synthesized by using a polymeric blend and the effects of Fe_2 O_3 and sulfate-functionalized (s-Fe_2 O_3) nanoparticles incorporation on the properties of the membranes were investigated. The addition of Fe_2 O_3 nanoparticles caused a reduction in electrical resistance up to 53%. Moreover, the IEC and permselectivity were improved by 34% and 42%, respectively. Meanwhile, by sulfonation of the Fe_2 O_3 nanoparticles, further cation exchange groups were introduced to the nanoparticles structure which significantly improved the membrane properties. Through addition of 0.5 wt% s-Fe_2 O_3 nanoparticles to the CEM matrix, a 45% reduction in the electrical resistance, and 45% and 43% enhancement in the IEC and permselectivity were obtained, respectively.
