Coupled bandgaps and wave attenuation in periodic flexoelectric curve nanobeams

Abstract

Curve beams are widely used in structural engineering like civil engineering and aircraft structures. Due to their coupling effects of bending, shear, and torsion, curve beams have a significant role in wave propagation fields as complete bandgaps can be generated. With the miniaturization of devices, it becomes increasingly imperative to investigate wave characteristics of curve beams at the nanoscale, taking into account the flexoelectric effect. In this study, a theoretical model for the periodic flexoelectric curve beams is established under the strain-gradient electro-elasticity theory. Subsequently, a customized state-space-based transfer matrix method for flexoelectric curve beam is specifically proposed, referred to as FCB-TMM. According to the Floquet-Bloch theorem, the dispersion relations for the periodic flexoelectric curve beams with intriguing coupling characteristics can be obtained and verified. Additionally, the influence of the flexoelectric effect and strain gradient effect on its complete bandgaps is analyzed. The results indicate that the flexoelectric effect plays a vital role in wave propagation at small scales, causing a shift in the bandgaps towards higher frequencies. Ultimately, the synergistic effects of significant geometric and material parameters combined with the flexoelectric effect on the bandgaps are systematically discussed. It is discovered that changing flexoelectric coefficients may alter the pattern of bandgap variation with these geometric and material parameters, while the influence of flexoelectric coefficients on bandgaps varies depending on the values of these parameters. Our investigation offers an insight into understanding the wave propagation of the curve nanobeams, and thus further guides the application and development of flexoelectric wave components in MEMS/NEMS.