Thermal energy derived from temperature fluctuation is one of the most clean natural energy sources in our living environment. Pyroelectric materials that feature for temperature oscillation dependent spontaneous polarization can generate usable electrical power and polarized charge carriers with a high energy conversion efficiency. Thus, pyroelectrics emerge as catalysts, which provide a promising approach to alleviating severe environmental contamination, energy crisis and biomedical issues. In this review, a comprehensive summary with first insight on the research progress of pyroelectric catalysis was provided. It starts with the introduction of some typical pyroelectric materials and pyroelectric effects. Then the fundamentals and mechanisms of pyroelectric catalysis were proposed. Highlighted are the pyroelectric catalytic applications, including disinfection and dynamic therapy, decomposition of pollutants and water splitting, and the strategies for enhancing pyroelectric catalytic efficiency put forward from diverse perspectives. Finally, the current challenges and future prospects in pyroelectric catalysis are discussed as a conclusion.

温度波动产生的热能是我们生活环境中最清洁的自然能源之一。具有依赖于温度振荡的自发极化的热释电材料可以产生可用的电能和极化的电荷载流子，具有高的能量转换效率。因此，热释电作为催化剂出现，为减轻严重的环境污染，能源危机和生物医学问题提供了一种有前途的方法。在这篇综述中，提供了对热电催化研究进展具有首次见识的全面总结。首先介绍一些典型的热电材料和热电效应。然后提出了热电催化的基本原理和机理。重点介绍了热电催化应用，包括消毒和动态疗法，污染物的分解和水的分解，以及从不同的角度提出提高热电催化效率的策略。最后，讨论了热电催化的当前挑战和未来前景。