It is found that the bonding of nanoparticles in nancomposites can be influenced by interactions with a surrounding matrix phase. A model involving charge transfer between phases is presented, and supported by DFT-simulations. The model explains observations in nanocomposite nc-TiCx/a-C of additional interface states and lattice expansion of TiCx. It is suggested that this approach can be extended to other types of nanocomposites, and that it opens for new possibilities in materials design. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.