Nonlocal instability of cantilever piezoelectric carbon nanotubes by considering surface effects subjected to axial flow

In this study, the divergence and flutter instability of a cantilever piezoelectric carbon nanotube (CNT) conveying flowing fluid is investigated by considering surface effects. The size-dependent governing differential equation of a piezoelectric CNT is derived using a Newtonian method based on the Eringen nonlocal elasticity theory and in conjunction with the Euler–Bernoulli beam model. The extended Galerkin method is employed to transform the partial differential equation into a set of ordinary differential equations. The resulting eigenvalue problem is solved numerically to determine the effect of nonlocal parameter, various values of piezoelectric voltage, and surface effects on the divergence and flutter instability of a CNT conveying a fluid. Results show that by increasing the voltage from negative values to positive values, the nondimensional critical velocity of the fluid flow decreases. In addition, it should be noted that the effects of the nonlocal parameter lead to a reduction of the flutter and divergence stability of the CNT. Finally, this research can be used to design fluid-conveying nanodevices based on piezoelectric CNTs.