The propagation and localization of Rayleigh waves in disordered piezoelectric phononic crystals

In this paper, the propagation and localization of Rayleigh waves in disordered piezoelectric phononic crystals with material 6 mm are studied taking the electromechanical coupling into account. The electric field is approximated as quasi-static. The analytical solutions of Rayleigh waves are obtained. The 6×6 transfer matrix between two consecutive unit cells is obtained by means of the mechanical and electrical continuity conditions. The expression of the localization factor in disordered periodic structures is presented by regarding the variables of the mechanical and electrical fields as the elements of the state vector. The numerical results for a piezoelectric phononic crystal—PVDF-PZT-2 piezocomposite—are presented and analyzed. From the results we can see that the localization is strengthened with the increase of the disorder degree. The characteristics of the passbands and stopbands are influenced by different ratios of the thickness of the polymers to that of the piezoelectric ceramics. Disorder in elastic constant c₁₁ of PZT-2 can also result in the localization phenomenon. The propagation and localization of Rayleigh waves in piezoelectric phononic crystals may be controlled by properly designing some structural parameters.