Photostrictive effect in 1-3 composites of photovoltaic and piezoelectric phases: A numerical study

Coalesce of photovoltaic effect with converse piezoelectric effect will turn into a photostrictive phenomenon. The current study conceptualizes a 1-3 photostrictive composite consists of a photovoltaic polymer as matrix and fibers of piezoelectric material. The proposed artificial photostrictive composite is capable of replacing lead-based naturally occurring photostrictive material, not only opening a potential for new applications but also caters to tailor the desired properties. Present study employs poly{4,8-bis[5-(2-ethyl-hexyl)thiophen-2-yl]benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b’]dithiophene-2,6-diyl-alt-3-fluoro-2-[(2-ethylhexyl) carbonyl] thieno[3,4-b] thiophene-4,6-diyl} (PTB7-Th) as organic photovoltaic polymer and Pb(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 -0.35PbTiO 3 (PMN-35PT) as the fibers. A representative volume element technique (RVE) is employed to embrace the local variation of multi-physics properties. The actuation response of cantilever and simply supported beam bonded to photostrictive composite patch is accurately predicted by finite element method, while discretizing the structure with degenerated shell element. Photostrictive composite with 60% volume fraction of fibers, arranged in square pattern have deflected the cantilever tip to 1.95 mm. Therefore, we provide 1-3 photostrictive composite as a solution for future wireless and lightweight vibration control applications.