The poor mechanical properties of electrospun materials remain one of the major hindrances toward their practical application. In this study, we report the synthesis of core-sheath nanofibrous mats to enhance the mechanical properties of an antimicrobial polymer nanofiber for application in filter media. This objective was achieved via coaxial electrospinning of poly[styrene-co-N-(N,N-dimethyl-3-aminopropyl)maleimide] as the sheath which is an antimicrobial polymer and nylon 6 polymer for the core which is well reported for exceptional mechanical properties. Extensive characterization of these fibers was performed using scanning electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, confocal fluorescence microscopy as well as attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform spectroscopy to provide evidence of the core-sheath morphology. Antimicrobial evaluation was also carried out on the fabricated fibers via the live/dead fluorescence technique. This was done to determine if the poly[styrene-co-N-(N,N-dimethyl-3-aminopropyl)maleimide] retained its antimicrobial activity. The fibers were found to be effective against the Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC25925) and Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC27853). Subsequent tensile testing and filtration experiments provided evidence that the incorporation of the nylon core improved mechanical properties of the nanofiber mats. (c) 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46303.