Size-dependent thermo-electromechanical responses analysis of multi-layered piezoelectric nanoplates for vibration control

Multi-layered piezoelectric nanostructures stand as one the most promising candidates for smart nanodevices and nanocomposites which are widely used as sensors and actuators in nano-electromechanical systems due to their excellent performances in fabrication, design and energy conversion (i.e. electrical and mechanical energy). The inherent nano-sized piezoelectricity properties (e.g. enhanced piezoelectric effect and novel electrical/chemical/physical properties) enable them to be regarded as the next-generation piezoelectric materials. Present study aims to investigate the size-dependent thermo-electromechanical responses of multi-layered piezoelectric nanoplates under heating loads. In the context of nonlocal piezoelectric thermoelastic theory, a composite laminated piezoelectric plate is chosen as the analytical model whilst the coupled governing equations for each layer with size-dependent characteristic lengths of thermal, electric and elastic fields as well as non-idealized interfacial conditions are obtained, and then solved by using Laplace transformation techniques. The transient solutions obtained are applied to bi-layered piezoelectric nanoplates and the effects of size-dependent characteristic lengths and material constants ratio on structural responses are evaluated and discussed to provide a comprehensive understanding and design insights of piezoelectric nanocomposites.