Turmeric/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) thorium(IV) phosphate hybrid cation exchange nanofibers were prepared for wastewater treatment along with antimicrobial activity. The physicochemical properties of electrospun fibers like thermal stability, surface morphology and composition were evaluated by using thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis/differential thermogravimetry (TGA/DTA/DTG), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transforms infra red (FTIR), and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) techniques. The ion exchange capacity determined by volumetric analysis was found to be 1.98 meq dry/g of ion exchanger. Antimicrobial properties of turmeric/PVA Th(IV) phosphate hybrid cation exchange electrospun fibers were validated by agar-well diffusion test (ADT) and microtitre plate assay (MPA) analyses. The presence of turmeric in polyvinyl alcohol Th(IV) phosphate hybrid cation exchange nanofibers is responsible for antimicrobial properties. The maximum zone of inhibition was found to be 22 mm for E. coli at 50 pg/ml and 21 mm for S. aureus at 100 pg/ml. (C) 2016 Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.