The progress in diffusion dialysis (DD)-based separations provides an effective platform for the development of suitable materials for cation exchange membranes (CEM), as CEM-based DD processes aimed at alkali recovery have generated much interest due to their unique ion transport phenomena. Here, for the first time, we report the use of novel silica-functionalized aminoisophthalic acid (AIPA)-based CEMs with polyvinylalcohol (PVA) used as a binder for DD applications (base recovery). The synthesis of the active material AIPA involved a classic nucleophilic reaction between 5-aminoisophthalic acid and 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane. By varying the amount of AIPA inside the membrane matrix, the properties of the prepared membranes can be altered. The prepared AIPA membranes were investigated systematically in terms of water uptake (W-R), ion exchange capacity (IEC) and thermomechanical measurements, such as DMA and TGA. The influence of AIPA on the base recovery behaviour of the membranes was investigated in detail. The prepared AIPA membranes displayed water uptake values (WR) within 44.2-47.5%, ion exchange capacity (IEC) values between 0.48 and 0.93 mmol/g, initial decomposition temperatures (IDTs) of 193 to 219 degrees C, tensile strength (TS) values of 50.1 to 58.4 MPa and elongation at break (E-b) values of 6.6 to 224.9%. At 25 degrees C, the dialysis coefficient (U-OH) values were between 0.0068 and 0.0097 m/h, whereas the separation factors (S) ranged from 17.86 to 31.79. The membranes have great potential for base recovery via diffusion dialysis. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.