This work studies the impact of adding nanoparticles to high-k PMNT (lead magnesium niobate–lead titanate, Pb(Mg0.33Nb0.67)0.65Ti0.35O3) thin films. PMNT thin films were grown on Pt(111)/TiO2/SiO2/Si substrate using a sol–gel technique. Ligand stabilised PMNT nanoparticles were added to the sol–gel material with the aim of seeding the crystallization process. The measurements show that use of nanoparticles in PMNT thin films influences the remanent polarization, coercive field and dielectric constant. These characterization results support the ongoing investigation of the material ferroelectric and electrical properties which are necessary before the novel dielectric can be used in silicon applications.