In this research, mixed matrix PVC based-co-activated carbon nanoparticles heterogeneous cation exchange membranes were prepared by solution casting technique. The effect of used additives, electrolyte's concentration and pH variations on membranes electrochemical properties were studied. Membrane water content was increased initially by the increase of activated carbons nanoparticles loading ratio up to 0.5 %wt in casting solution. The water content was declined again by more increase of nanoparticles concentration from 0.5 to 4 %. Membrane fixed ionic concentration, transport number, selectivity and membrane electrical conductivity all were enhanced by the increase of additive concentration. Utilizing activated carbon nanoparticles in the casting solution also led to increase in membrane electrical conductivity, ionic flux and permeability. Moreover, the membrane transport number and selectivity were improved initially by the increase of electrolyte concentration and then began to decrease at high electrolyte concentration. In addition, membrane showed higher transport number and selectivity at neutral pH compared to other pH values. Utilizing of activated carbon nanoparticles in membrane structure caused to more efficiency in heavy metal ions removal from water for the modified membranes. The obtained results are valuable for electro-membrane processes especially electrodialysis for water recovery and treatment.
