The mechanical properties and thermostability of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanofiber mats have been obviously improved by the incorporation of sodium chloride (NaCl). The tensile properties including tensile strength and modulus of membranes with an addition of 1.0 wt % NaCl increased from 2.51 to 4.22 MPa and 33.0 to 176.30 MPa, respectively, more than 160 and 700% of those of the electrospun pure PVA membranes. Moreover, thermogravimetric analysis showed that the initial decomposition temperature (T-i) and the half decomposing temperature (T-50%) of PVA nanofibers with the addition of NaCl were at least 26 and 59 degrees C higher than that of pure PVA nanofibers, respectively, indicating a strong interaction between the PVA and the salt ions. (c) 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 45981.