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.
