Nano-composites of poly vinyl alcohol containing different nano-fillers namely multiple walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT), single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT), silica nanoparticles, and silver nanoparticles were prepared by sonication-assisted solution mixing and subjected to different doses of gamma radiation. The efficacy of radiation crosslinking was analyzed by sol gel analysis, Charlesby-Pinner parameter estimation and crosslinking density measurements. Crosslinking of nano-composites was found to increase with radiation dose and markedly affected with the type of nano-particulate filler in the matrix (p(o)/q(o) in the range: 0.40-0.83). The results have been explained on the basis of Raman spectroscopy, hydrodynamic volume measurements, contact angle measurements, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 118: 3490-3498, 2010