Theoretical Modelling of Thermo-Chemo-Mechanics of Solids: A Review

Multi-field coupling problems involving species transport, heat transfer, substance transformation, and mechanical deformation are prevalent in various scenarios, such as the curing of early-age concretes, the response of soft materials, the oxidation of metals, the lithiation and delithiation of lithium-ion batteries, and the self-healing of biological tissues. Thermo-chemo-mechanical coupling dynamics are common characteristics of these problems, making theoretical studies on such processes of significant importance. This study offers a thorough review of advanced theoretical models that address thermo-chemo-mechanical behavior of solid materials within the theoretical framework of non-equilibrium thermodynamics. First, we outline the thermo-chemo-mechanical coupling phenomena observed in various application scenarios. Then, the theoretical developments of classical continuum mechanics include the phase field method and peridynamics in the contexts of thermo-mechanical coupling, chemo-mechanical coupling, and thermo-chemo-mechanical coupling, respectively. Finally, challenges faced by thermo-chemo-mechanical coupling research are highlighted and prospects and directions for this field are also outlined. This paper helps to understand the history and trends in the development of thermo-chemo-mechanical coupling theory.