Synergistic Photo-, Thermo-, Pyro- and Electrocatalysis Driven by Thermoelectric and Pyroelectric Materials: From Fundamentals to Perspectives

Catalytic processes, including thermo-, photo-, and electro-catalysis, as well as pyrocatalysis, represent highly promising strategies to address mounting energy and environmental challenges. Thermoelectric and pyroelectric materials, realizing interconversion between electricity and heat energy, have been used to contribute to those issues directly and enhance catalysis’ performance. However, their in situ promotion to enhance catalysis, including thermocatalysis, photocatalysis, and electrocatalysis, still needs further study and investigation. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the recent advances and state-of-the-art synergistic catalysis via thermoelectric and pyroelectric materials, elucidate the fundamental principles of thermoelectric materials, and provide evidence and a detailed explanation for synergistic catalysis of thermoelectric materials, as well as envision its potential for enhanced performance in the future. It is expected to give researchers powerful knowledge to design thermoelectric materials-based catalysts for enhanced thermocatalytic, photocatalytic, and electrocatalytic performance.