Additional weak-electric field is adopted to improve the performance of diffusion dialysis (DD) process for the first time. Anion exchange membrane DD was taken as an example, and Na2SO4 + H2SO4 waste solution was selected as a model system. Firstly, mode of applying electric field was discussed, and results showed the mode that anode contacted with dialysate compartment was more effective, and results were explained through Nernst-Plank equation. Secondly, effect of electric field on odd pieces of membranes DD was studied, results illustrated that the more the pieces of membranes, the weaker the effect of electric field on DD performance. Thirdly, effect of electric field on even pieces of membranes DD was investigated, results revealed that overall dialysis coefficient has almost nothing to do with electric field. At last, energy consumption and current efficiency were investigated, and differences between electrically assisted diffusion dialysis (EADD) and electro-electrodialysis (EED) were stated. (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.