In this study, electrospinning was used to fabricate silk-fibroin (SF)-based mats, which served as substrates for the culturing of rat Schwann cells. Microscopic observation and physical parameter measurements revealed that the electrospun SF mats had a nanofibrous structure with favorable physical properties. Fourier transform infrared analysis provided chemical characterization of the molecular confirmation of the SF proteins in the mats. The morphology and immunocytochemistry showed that the mats supported the survival and growth of the cultured Schwann cells, and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide analysis indicated that the electrospun SF mat extract had no cytotoxic effects on Schwann cell proliferation. Collectively, all of the results suggest that the electrospun SF mats might become a candidate scaffold for tissue-engineered nerve grafts to promote peripheral nerve regeneration. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 119: 3490-3494, 2011