Hydrophilic acrylic nanofibers were prepared from alkaline hydrolysis of hydrophobic polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers. Water contact angle, pore. Volume, and liquid retention capacity of PAN nanofibrous membranes were measured to determine their dependence on hydrolysis parameters Such as base concentration, temperature, and time. Vertical water retention capacity of hydrolyzed PAN nanofibrous membrane could reach as large as 200 times of that of original membrane.