Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) based on new ion exchanging groups were successfully prepared by functionalization of brominated poly(2,6-dimethy1-1,4-phenylene oxide) with 1,8-Diazabicyclo[5.4.0] undec-7-ene (DBU). High anion permeability was observed due to good self-dissociation ability of anion exchanging groups-anion ion pairs attributing to high basicity of DBU. When used in diffusion dialysis (DD) for acid recovery from a simulated iron polishing waste solution (HCl, 1.27 mol/L; FeCl2, 020 mol/L), the as-prepared membranes exhibit extraordinary proton diffusion coefficient (U) of 0.027 m/h and high separation factor of 626 at 30 degrees C. implying the synthesized AEM is a prospective candidate to be applied in the field of acid recovery. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.