Scratch-resistant nanocomposite materials contain at least one film-forming
hydrophilic colloid and at least one ceramic nanoparticle material. In
particular, the film-forming hydrophilic colloid may be a gelatin, and the
ceramic nanoparticle material may be alumina. In another aspect, the
invention relates to scratch-resistant imaging elements comprising a
support and a layer comprising such a nanocomposite material. The
nanocomposite layer may be employed as an imaging layer, or as a
protective layer disposed between an imagining layer and the environment.
