Cross-linked chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) (CS/PVA with weight ratios of 2:1, 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3) nanofibers have been successfully electrospun using 1% aqueous acetic acid. Viscosity average molecular weight of CS was reduced from 78.7 x 10(4) to 1.4 x 10(4) by electron beam irradiation (EBI) in order to improve its solubility. The effects of composition on morphologies and swelling property of electrospun nanofibers were investigated. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy studies demonstrated main chemical structure of CS persisted after EBI treatment. Swelling behavior test after cross-linking confirmed that the non-toxic CS-based nanofibers have a potential application in the biomedical field. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.