Surface modified electrospun polyester (PET) nanofibers with cyclodextrin polymer (CDP) were produced (PET/CDP). CDP formation onto electrospun PET nanofibers was achieved by polymerization between citric acid (CTR, crosslinking agent) and cyclodextrin (CD). Three different types of native CD (alpha-CD, beta-CD and gamma-CD) were used to form CDP. Water-insoluble crosslinked CDP coating was permanently adhered onto the PET nanofibers. SEM imaging indicated that the nanofibrous structure of PET mats was preserved after CDP surface modification process. PET/CDP nanofibers have shown rougher/irregular surface and larger fiber diameter when compared to untreated PET nanofibers. The surface analyses of PET/CDP nanofibers by XPS elucidated that CDP was present on the fiber surface. DMA analyses revealed the enhanced mechanical properties for PET/CDP where PET/CDP nanofibers have shown higher storage modulus and higher glass transition temperature compared to untreated PET nanofibers. The surface area of the PET/CDP nanofibers investigated by BET measurements showed slight decrease due to the presence of CDP coating compared to pristine PET nanofibers. Yet, it was observed that PET/CDP nanofibers were more efficient for the removal of phenanthrene as a model polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) from aqueous solution when compared to pristine PET nanofibers. Our findings suggested that PET/CDP nanofibers can be a very good candidate as a filter material for water purification and waste treatment owing to their very large surface area as well as inclusion complexation capability of surface associated CDP. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.