Raman spectroscopy is employed to characterize the bonding between CdS nanoparticles (NPs) and a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as well as structural changes in the polymeric matrix caused by incorporation of NPs. It is shown that after the formation of CdS NPs the vibrations of carbonyl groups in acetate residuals of PVA and of C-O groups at the macromolecules ends disappear. Formation of NPs also leads to an increased degree of hydrogen bonding and crystallinity of the hybrid material as compared with the unloaded polymer. The observed changes are ascribed to the formation of coordinative bonds and hydrogen between the CdS nanoparticles and polymeric macromolecules. The scheme of this interfacial bonding is also proposed. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.