Antimicrobial properties of lignin-decorated thin multi-walled carbon nanotubes in poly(vinyl alcohol) nanocomposites

•Lignin-decorated thin multi-walled carbon nanotubeswere prepared to obtain mechanically strong poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanofibers with high antimicrobial properties.•The lignin/t-MWNT/PVA composites showed significantly improved antimicrobial properties compared to lignin/PVA composites.•The use of lignin-decorated t-MWNTs in the PVA nanofibers resulted in enhanced mechanical and antimicrobial properties.•Lignin-decorated t-MWNT/PVA nanofibers may have a high potential for applications in wound dressings, scaffolds, and antimicrobial textiles.