Impact of the flexocaloric effect on polarization in the flexoelectric layer

Abstract The paper presents a theoretical study on the distribution of polarization and mechanical stresses in the flexoelectric layer accounting for the flexocaloric effect. It is assumed that the flexoelectric material has neither piezoelectric nor electrostrictive properties. Particular attention is given to the boundary conditions at the media interface. The analysis is carried out in the framework of a one-dimensional model. It is demonstrated that the correct formulation of the boundary conditions requires to consider the square of the deformation gradient. The presence of this term results in the existence of the boundary layer at the flexoelectric interface, in which, according to our estimates, the deformation gradient can reach 10 6 –10 7 m − 1 .