Golf balls incorporating cerium oxide nanoparticles

Abstract

The invention is directed to a golf ball providing improved UV resistance, abrasion resistance and hydrophobicity comprising cerium oxide nanoparticles having a particle size within the wavelength of visible light. The golf ball of the invention may comprise the cerium oxide nanoparticles in any or all of outer core layers, intermediate layers, inner cover layers, outer cover layers and even as a coating composition in an amount of from about 0.5 wt % to about 10 wt % of the respective layer. The cerium oxide nanoparticles may be randomly dispersed within a layer or coating, or alternatively, the cerium oxide nanoparticles may be ordered in an array within the layer or coating.

1 . A golf ball comprising a core, a cover and optionally an intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover, wherein the cover comprises a thermoset or theromoplastic composition comprising cerium oxide nanoparticles having a particle size within the wavelength of visible light, wherein the cerium oxide nanoparticles are randomly dispersed within the thermoset or theromoplastic composition. 
     
     
         2 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the wavelength of visible light is from about 370 nm to about 800 nm. 
     
     
         3 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the wavelength of visible light is from about 370 nm to about 750 nm. 
     
     
         4 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the wavelength of visible light is 400 nm to about 800 nm. 
     
     
         5 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the wavelength of visible light is 400 nm to about 750 nm. 
     
     
         6 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the wavelength of visible light is from about 380 nm to about 750 nm. 
     
     
         7 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the wavelength of visible light is from about 400 nm to about 700 nm. 
     
     
         8 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the wavelength of visible light is from about 625 nm to about 740 nm. 
     
     
         9 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the wavelength of visible light is from about 590 nm to about 625 nm. 
     
     
         10 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the wavelength of visible light is from about 565 nm to about 590 nm. 
     
     
         11 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the wavelength of visible light is from about 520 nm to about 565 nm. 
     
     
         12 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the wavelength of visible light is from about 500 nm to about 520 nm. 
     
     
         13 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the wavelength of visible light is from about 435 nm to about 500 nm. 
     
     
         14 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the wavelength of visible light is from about 380 nm to about 435 nm. 
     
     
         15 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein: ΔYl for the cover is less than about 11.5 after 5 days; ΔYl for the cover is less than about 13.5 after 8 days; Δb* for the cover is less than about 7.5 after 5 days; and Δb* for the cover is about 8.5 or less after 8 days. 
     
     
         16 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein ΔYl for the cover is less than about 11.0 after 5 days; ΔYl for the cover is about 13.0 or less after 8 days; Δb* for the cover is about 6.75 or less after 5 days; and Δb* for the cover is about 7.75 or less after 8 days. 
     
     
         17 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein ΔYl for the cover is about 10.9 or less after 5 days; ΔYl for the cover is about 12.6 or less after 8 days; Δb* for the cover is about 6.60 or less after 5 days; and Δb* for the cover is about 7.54 or less after 8 days. 
     
     
         18 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein ΔYl for the cover is less than about 14.0 after 5 days; ΔYl for the cover is about 17.0 or less after 8 days; Δb* for the cover is about 8.0 or less after 5 days; and Δb* for the cover is about 9.5 or less after 8 days. 
     
     
         19 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises the cerium oxide nanoparticles in an amount of from about 0.5 wt % to about 10 wt %. 
     
     
         20 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises the cerium oxide nanoparticles in an amount of from about 1.0 wt % to about 4 wt %. 
     
     
         21 . A golf ball comprising a core, a cover and optionally an intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover, wherein the cover comprises a thermoset or theromoplastic composition comprising cerium oxide nanoparticles having a particle size within the wavelength of visible light, wherein ΔYl for the cover is less than about 11.5 after 5 days and Δb* for the cover is less than about 7.5 after 5 days. 
     
     
         22 . A golf ball comprising a core having an untreated region and a treated outer surface, the treated outer surface being treated with a composition comprising cerium oxide nanoparticles having a particle size within the wavelength of visible light, wherein ΔYl for the cover is less than about 11.5 after 5 days and Δb* for the cover is less than about 7.5 after 5 days. 
     
     
         23 . A golf ball comprising a core, a cover and optionally an intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover, wherein the cover comprises a thermoset or theromoplastic composition comprising cerium oxide nanoparticles having a particle size within the wavelength of visible light, wherein the cerium oxide nanoparticles are ordered in an array within the thermoset or theromoplastic composition. 
     
     
         24 . The golf ball of  claim 23 , wherein the cerium oxide nanoparticles are ordered in an array within the thermoset or theromoplastic composition independently of a pigment distributed within the thermoset or theromoplastic composition. 
     
     
         25 . A golf ball comprising a core, a cover and optionally an intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover, wherein the cover is formed from a thermoset or theromoplastic composition comprising: (1) a prepolymer; (2) a curing agent; (3) a white pigment; and (4) a substantially homogeneous particulate consisting of cerium oxide nanoparticles having a particle size of from about 370 nm to about 800 nm, wherein said substantially homogenous particulate is randomly dispersed within the thermoset or theromoplastic composition in an amount of about 0.5 wt % to about 10 wt % of the thermoset or theromoplastic composition.