Environmentally-safe anion exchange membranes of PVA/PDDA/SiO2composite for reverse electrodialysis

•Anion Exchange Membranes (AEMs) is successfully syntesized from PVA/PDDA co-polymers by using different solvents.•Colloidal silica (SiO2) is used as inorganic filler to enhance membrane strength and adjust membrane porosity.•DMSO showed the best yields where area resistance (AR), swelling degree (SD), and fixed charged density (FCD).•Utilization of water as solvent in the preparation of AEMs from PVA/PDDA/SiO2 mixture produce equivalent ion exchange properties, yet environmentally-safe.