A nanocomposite of poly(N-vinylcarbazole) (PNVC) and Al2O3 was prepared by precipitation of a preformed PNVC in a tetrahydrofuran solution onto an aqueous suspension of nanodimensional Al2O3. Prolonged extraction of a PNVC-Al2O3 composite by benzene failed to extract the loaded PNVC from the Al2O3, as shown by Fourier transform infrared studies. Scanning electron microscopy analyses revealed distinct morphological features of the composite, and transmission electron microscopy analyses confirmed that the particle sizes were in the range of 120-240 nm. Thermogravimetric analyses demonstrated the enhanced stability of the nanocomposite relative to the base polymer. Direct current conductivity of the PNVC-Al2O3 composites was found to be about 0.14 x 10(-6) S/cm. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.