A new type of magnetic mixed matrix cation exchange membrane was prepared by incorporating cobalt ferrite nanoparticles for chromium ions removal via electrodialysis. The CoFe2O4 nanoparticles were synthesized via a simple chemical precipitation method. The synthesized nanoparticles and mixed matrix lab-made membranes were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, EDX, SEM and SOM. The images showed a uniform particle distribution and a relatively uniform surface for the prepared membranes. Utilizing CoFe2O4 nanoparticles in the membrane matrix led to increase of the membrane electrical conductivity and surface hyrophilicity. The membrane potential, charge density, permselectivity, transport number, ion exchange capacity and water content in the membrane were enhanced by using CoFe2O4 nanoparticles loading ratios up to 2 wt% and then decreased again for concentrations above 2 wt%. The sodium flux was also increased sharply by using cobalt ferrite nanoparticles in the membrane matrix. The magnetic PVC-CoFe2O4 membrane showed more dialytic rate in chromium ions removal compared to pristine PVC membrane which could be linked to strong affinity of magnetic nanoparticles in heavy metal ions adsorption.
