Postmodified polyacrylonitrile (PAN) microfibers/nanofibers with durable antibacterial performance was fabricated by a rapid and green method of microwave irradiation and electrospinning technologies. The fibers were endowed with antibacterial activity because of silver ions, which were embedded into PAN by nitrile click chemistry with microwave irradiation; they were then electrospun into neat and smooth microfibers/nanofibers. The obtained microfibers/nanofibers were tested against Staphylococcus aureus and exhibited powerful and long-lasting antibacterial properties. The production of endurable antibacterial materials could effectively prevent the spread of microbes and beautify the living environment. (c) 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.