An approach for the production of homogenous Al2O3-5SiC-1CNTs hybrid nanocomposite via molecular level mixing is reported. Aluminum nitrate nonahydrate, dimethylformamide, SiC6 nanoparticles, and functionalized CNTs were magnetically stirred and sonicated to prepare the desired slurry. Heating of the dried mixture in normal atmosphere at 400 degrees C for 4 h resulted in the formation of amorphous Al2O3 matrix, imbedded with CNT5 and SiC nanoparticles, which crystallized during subsequent sintering. FT-IR was used to characterize bonds formed during powder synthesis. The uniform distribution of CNT5 and SiC in the synthesized powder and consolidated sample was ascertained using x-ray mapping, FE-SEM, and TEM. Dense alumina and homogeneous Al2O3-5SiC-1CNT nanocomposite were consolidated by spark plasma sintering at 1500 C for 10 min. The composite possessed improved fracture toughness (by similar to 33%) and slightly reduced hardness (by similar to 4%) with respect to monolithic Al2O3. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.