POLAR GROUP FUNCTIONALIZED CO-POLYMERS

1 . A polar group functionalized copolymer useful to prepare a nanocomposite polymer, the polar group functionalized copolymer comprising: more than fifty weight percent propylene monomer units, about five weight percent ethylene monomer units and/or one or more alpha olefin monomer units, the polar group functionalized copolymer having a solubility parameter difference relative to atactic polypropylene homopolymer of an absolute value of from 0.01 (calories per cubic centimeter) 1/2 to 0.3 (calories per cubic centimeter) 1/2 , the weight average molecular weight of the polar group functionalized copolymer being greater than twenty five thousand grams per mole, the ratio of the average number of monomer units in the polar group functionalized copolymer to the average number of polar groups of the polar group functionalized copolymer being in the range of from 20 to 1000.

2 . The polar group functionalized copolymer of claim 1 , wherein the absolute value of the solubility parameter difference is less than 0.2 (calories per cubic centimeter) 1/2 .

3 . A polar group functionalized copolymer useful to prepare a nanocomposite polymer, the polar group functionalized copolymer comprising: more than fifty weight percent propylene monomer units, about five weight percent ethylene monomer units and/or one or more alpha olefin monomer units, the weight average molecular weight of the polar group functionalized copolymer being greater than twenty five thousand grams per mole, the ratio of the average number of monomer units in the polar group functionalized copolymer to the average number of polar groups of the polar group functionalized copolymer being in the range of from 20 to 1000, the polar group functionalized copolymer also meeting a test, the test requiring the formation of insoluble domains when a molten mixture consisting of from one to forty weight percent of the polar group functionalized copolymer and from ninety-nine to sixty weight percent atactic polypropylene homopolymer of essentially the same weight average molecular weight as the polar group functionalized copolymer is cooled to solidify the mixture.

4 - 32 . (canceled)

33 . A polar group functionalized copolymer useful to prepare a nanocomposite polymer, the polar group functionalized copolymer comprising: more than fifty weight percent propylene monomer units, from one tenth to thirty weight percent ethylene monomer units and/or one or more alpha monomer units, the polar group functionalized copolymer having a solubility parameter difference relative to atactic polypropylene homopolymer of an absolute value of less than 0.1 (calories per cubic centimeter) 1/2 and greater than 0.01 (calories per cubic centimeter) 1/2 , the ratio of the average number of monomer units in the polar group functionalized copolymer to the average number of polar groups of the polar group functionalized copolymer being in the range of from 20 to 1000, wherein the weight average molecular weight of the polar group functionalized copolymer is in the range of from one hundred and eighty thousand grams per mole to three hundred and fifty thousand grams per mole.

34 . The polar group functionalized copolymer of claim 33 , wherein the polar group functionalized copolymer is selected from the group consisting of a block copolymer, a random copolymer and mixtures thereof.

35 . The polar group functionalized copolymer of claim 33 , wherein the polar group functionalized copolymer comprises maleated copolymer.

36 . The polar group functionalized copolymer of claim 33 , wherein the polar group functionalized copolymer consists essentially of maleated copolymer.

37 . The polar group functionalized copolymer of any of claims 33 - 36 , wherein the ethylene monomer content of the polar group functionalized copolymer is in the range of from one to fifteen weight percent.

38 . The polar group functionalized copolymer of claim 37 , wherein the ethylene monomer content of the polar group functionalized copolymer is in the range of from one to eight weight percent.

39 . The polar group functionalized copolymer of claim 33 , wherein the polar group functionalized copolymer comprises hydroxylated copolymer.

40 . The polar group functionalized copolymer of claim 33 , wherein the polar group functionalized copolymer comprises aminated copolymer.

41 . A nanocomposite polymer, comprising from one tenth to twenty five weight percent of an onium treated layered cation exchanging material; from one tenth to ninety-nine and nine tenths percent of the polar group functionalized copolymer of claim 1 ; and a polymer or copolymer comprising one or more alpha olefins.

42 . A nanocomposite polymer, comprising from one tenth to twenty five weight percent of an onium treated layered cation exchanging material; from one tenth to ninety-nine and nine tenths percent of the polar group functionalized copolymer of claim 3 ; and a polymer or copolymer comprising one or more alpha olefins.

43 . A nanocomposite polymer, comprising from one tenth to twenty five weight percent of an onium treated layered cation exchanging material; from one tenth to ninety-nine and nine tenths percent of the polar group functionalized copolymer of claim 33 ; and a polymer or copolymer comprising one or more alpha olefins.

44 . The nanocomposite polymer of claim 43 , wherein the onium treated layered cation exchanging material is montmorillonite or fluoromica treated with an onium comprising a quaternary ammonium compound.

45 . The nanocomposite polymer of claim 44 , wherein the quaternary ammonium compound is of formula R 1 R 2 R 3 R 4 N + , wherein at least one of R 1 , R 2 , R 3 or R 4 contains ten or more carbon atoms.

46 . The nanocomposite polymer of claim 43 , wherein the onium is a protonated amine.

47 . The nanocomposite polymer of claim 43 , wherein the nanocomposite polymer has a notched Izod impact at room temperature of greater than about 12 foot-pounds per inch.

48 . The nanocomposite polymer of claim 43 , wherein the ethylene monomer unit content of the polar group functionalized copolymer is about five weight percent.