In this study, a review of the performance of cation exchange membranes based on the nano-material additive graphene oxide (GO) used in desalination processes was carried out. Understanding the physicochemical properties of GO has a significant impact on understanding the physicochemical and electrochemical characteristics of the prepared membranes, as well as the mechanism governing the desalination process through the cation exchange groups. GO, due to the high-level number of oxygen-containing functional groups on its edges and sheets, can be easily functionalized with cation exchange groups such as (SO3H, -COOH, -PO3H2). GO has numerous applications in various fields such as gas separation, water purification, ionic dialysis, food processing, drug manufacturing, energy storage, and water desalination processes. While sulfonated GO has been widely synthesized and used for cation exchange applications in membranes, a limited number of studies have reported the use of phosphorus-containing cation exchange groups in the GO structure. Recent studies have shown that ion exchange membranes based on GO containing -PO3H2 groups can provide higher hydrophilicity. higher ion permeability (>98%) and permselectivity (>97%)، and better chemical and mechanical stability compared to those with sulfonic groups. Additionally, functionalizing GO with phosphorus-containing groups can provide better pH stability of the membranes compared to -SO3H and -COOH groups. This review article discusses the importance, role, and performance of GO structures functionalized with sulfonic and phosphorus groups for application in cation exchange membranes for desalination.