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, intemiediate 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 at least one of the core and the intermediate layer comprises a moisture barrier layer that is formed from a water vapor barrier composition consisting of from about 0.5 wt % to about 10 wt % of cerium oxide nanoparticles having a particle size of from about 370 nm to about 800 nm, wherein the vapor barrier composition has a moisture vapor transmission rate of from about 0.45 grams·mm/m 2 ·day to about 1.5 grams·mm/m 2 ·day. 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the wavelength of visible light is from about 400 nm to about 700 nm. 
     
     
         4 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the wavelength of visible light is from about 380 nm to about 500 nm. 
     
     
         5 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the wavelength of visible light is from about 500 nm to about 700 nm. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the core and the intermediate layer comprises the cerium oxide nanoparticles in an amount of from about 1.0 wt % to about 4.0 wt %. 
     
     
         8 . A golf ball comprising a core, a cover and an intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover wherein at least one of the intermediate layer and the cover is formed from a moisture vapor barrier 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 moisture barrier composition. 
     
     
         9 . The golf ball of  claim 8 , wherein the vapor barrier composition has a moisture vapor transmission rate of from about 0.45 grams·mm/m 2 ·day to about 1.5 grams·mm/m 2 ·day. 
     
     
         10 . The golf ball of  claim 8 , wherein the vapor barrier composition has a moisture vapor transmission rate of about 0.95 grams·mm/m 2 ·day or greater. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A golf ball comprising a core having an untreated region and a treated outer surface, the treated outer surface having a first moisture vapor transmission rate and the untreated region having a second moisture vapor transmission rate, the treated outer surface being treated with a moisture vapor barrier composition comprising cerium oxide nanoparticles having a particle size within the wavelength of visible light, and wherein the first moisture vapor transmission rate is lower than the second moisture vapor transmission rate. 
     
     
         13 . A golf ball comprising a core and a cover disposed about the core, wherein the cover comprises an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface being treated with a composition comprising cerium oxide nanoparticles having a particle size of from about 370 nm to about 800 nm such that a moisture vapor transmission rate X of the inner surface is lower than a moisture vapor transmission rate Y of the outer surface. 
     
     
         14 . A golf ball comprising a core and a cover disposed about the core, wherein the cover comprises an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer, said inner cover layer having a moisture vapor transmission rate X and the outer cover layer having a moisture vapor transmission rate Y, the outer cover layer comprising a moisture vapor barrier composition formed from a composition comprising cerium oxide nanoparticles having a particle size of from about 370 nm to about 800 nm such that X>Y. 
     
     
         15 . The golf ball of  claim 14 , wherein Y≦0.75X. 
     
     
         16 . The golf ball of  claim 14 , wherein Y≦0.5X. 
     
     
         17 . The golf ball of  claim 14 , wherein Y≦0.25X. 
     
     
         18 . The golf ball of  claim 14 , wherein Y≦0.10X. 
     
     
         19 . The golf ball of  claim 14 , wherein Y≦0.95X.