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In this study, poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐vinyl acetate) (P(AN‐co‐VA)) reinforced by 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0% w/w functionalized single‐wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), fibrous nanocomposites were fabricated using electrospinning technique. Functional analysis revealed the presence of hydroxyl band which is characteristic of the carboxylated SWCNTs. Morphological analysis manifested neatly uniform nanofibers with an average fiber diameter varying from 62 to 308 nm depending on the processing conditions of electrospinning. Contact angle measurements showed a decline in the contact angle by increasing carboxylated SWCNTs contents. Oil/water separation was assessed using dead‐end module under different testing conditions and showed an excellent performance. The maximum rejection ratio for the oil/water separation test for the electrospun fibrous nanocomposite was about 97.5% for 0.5 wt% carboxylated SWCNTs. These results conveyed the promising performance of electrospun P(AN‐co‐VA)/SWCNTs nanocomposite membranes for oil/water separation technology.

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Samples of pure poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and PMMA enhanced with metal complexes of Zn, Cd, and Hg were synthesized via catalytic chain transfer polymerization. Structural analysis, by means of XRD, showed the amorphous nature of the studied samples which meant high homogenous dissolution of the metals (Zn, Cd and Hg) into the polymer matrix. Density values increased linearly with respect to atomic radius of the incorporated metals. Addition of such elements causes an increase in mass attenuation coefficients and a remarkable decrease in the Half Value Layer (HVL) values, in comparison to existing standard shielding materials. Thermal studies by DSC indicated highly homogenous internal structure of the studied samples, with slight decrease in the Tg value when introducing metals due to heterogeneous nucleation agent role of the Cd, Zn and Hg. All observations and results suggest the studied materials to be used as promising and proper aprons for medical radiation shielding applications.