On the flexoviscous behavior in viscoelastic materials

TL;DR

This paper proposes a phenomenological model linking viscoelasticity and flexoelectricity to explain electromechanical coupling in viscoelastic materials, challenging the notion that ferroelectric phenomena are always intrinsic.

Contribution

It introduces a new theoretical framework connecting viscoelasticity and flexoelectricity, providing insights into electromechanical effects in polymers and similar materials.

Findings

Ferroelectric phenomena in some viscoelastic materials may be extrinsic.

The model explains electromechanical coupling during rheological processes.

Theoretical predictions align with observed behaviors in polymer films.

Abstract

A phenomenological model on the relationship between viscoelasticity and flexoelectricity is proposed to address the electromechanical coupling under rheological processes in viscoelastic materials. Our theoretical studies show that some observed ferroelectric phenomena in certain viscoelastic materials, like polymer films, may not be intrinsic material behavior.