Polymers suitable for use in the nanocomposites of the present invention are exemplified, but not limited to, polyolefins such as very low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), medium density polyethylene (MDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), and polypropylene (PP), polyamides such as poly(m-xyleneadipamide) (MXD6), poly(hexamethylene sebacamide), poly(hexamethy