BACKGROUND: Electrospinning is a powerful and effective method to produce nanofibers. Beads have been observed widely in electrospun products, but effects of solvents, weight concentrations and salt additives on the number and morphology of beads in the electrospinning process have not been systematically studied. RESULTS: Both theoretical analysis and experimental results show that beads strongly depend upon solvents, weight concentrations and salt additives. Either a suitable weight concentration or a suitable salt additive can completely prevent the occurrence of beads in the electrospinning process; solvents can affect the number of beads and the morphology of electrospun fibers. CONCLUSION: Beads are mainly caused by lower surface tension. With a higher surface tension, the size and number of beads in electrospun products are smaller and fewer, respectively. (c) 2007 Society of Chemical Industry.