Provided are enophile functionalized polymer particles, nano-sized inorganic metal particles such as Al(OH).sub.3 particles, and preparations thereof. Also provided is a method of improving the properties of a rubber composition, such as a tire, by formulating the rubber to incorporate nano-sized inorganic metal particles such as Al(OH).sub.3. The composition exhibits improved properties including bonding rubber, tensile strength, tear strength, and wet traction, among others. A novel rubber composition comprising nano-sized inorganic metal particles is also disclosed.