Affiliations: [a] State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, Central
South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
Correspondence:
[*]
Corresponding author: Dou Zhang, State Key Laboratory of Powder
Metallurgy, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410083, China. Tel.: +86
731 888 771 96; Fax: +86 731 888 771 96; E-mail: dzhang@csu.edu.cn
Abstract: Finite element analysis was performed on the representative volume
element of piezoelectric elements with interdigitated electrodes (IDEs). The
variations of piezoelectric material properties during poling were considered
in the analysis. The numerical results of models with different piezoelectric
polarization states were compared with the result given by the so called
uniform field model. Though different optimum electrode finger widths were
obtained for different models, narrower electrode finger could enhance the
actuation performance. The models indicated the stress concentrated at the
edges of the finger electrode. Wider electrode finger would be beneficial for
reducing the risk of material failure. The model with two different
polarization states could be used to predict the strain and stress of MFCs with
wider electrode finger to minimize the computational complexity. The modeling
approach developed in this study allowed for a better understanding on the
overall effects in piezoelectric materials with IDE structures.
