N-Vinylcarbazole was polymerized by acetylene black alone in melt (similar to65degreesC) or in toluene medium and a polyN-vinylearbazole-acetylene black composite was isolated from the reaction medium. The formation of polyN-vinylcarbazole and its presence in the composite was endorsed by FTIR analysis. The scanning electron micrographs of polyN-vinylcarbazole-acetylene black composite revealed formation of lumpy aggregates. Transmission electron microscopic analysis indicated that the composite comprised globular particles in the 100-200 nm range. Thermogravimetric analyses demonstrated the enhanced stability of the nanocomposite relative to the base polymer. The d.c. conductivity of the composite was in the order of 10(-2) S cm(-1), a value that was higher than the conductivity of the base polymer [10(-12)-10(-16)Scm(-1)]. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.