Mixed rutileanatase TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by hydrothermal treatment under acidic conditions and incorporated into poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). These nanocomposites were electrospun to produce nanofibers of PVA/TiO2, which were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), UVvis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. The photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B and degradation of the polymer by UV-C lamps were also investigated. The results showed that TiO2 nanoparticles did not change the morphology and thermal behavior of the nanofiber polymer, but were effective in modifying the UV absorption of PVA without reducing its stability. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013