Plasmonic-pyroelectric materials and structures combine the properties of plasmonic nanomaterials, which can rapidly heat up upon illumination, with pyroelectric materials, which generate electrical charge in response to temperature changes. This synergy enables efficient energy harvesting, thermal sensing, and various technological applications. Pyroelectric materials, such as tourmaline, gallium nitride, and zinc oxide, generate electrical charge when subjected to large and rapid temperature changes. Plasmonic nanomaterials, like gold and silver nanoparticles, can produce rapid and localized heating when illuminated at their plasmonic resonances. This combination allows for enhanced temperature changes, which in turn increase the pyroelectric response, leading to improved performance in energy harvesting, infrared detection, catalysis, and bio-applications. The pyroelectric effect is characterized by a spontaneous dipole moment in the absence of an external electric field, and the generation of charge and current when temperature changes. The pyroelectric coefficient quantifies the charge generated per unit area and temperature change. Plasmonic materials, on the other hand, exhibit strong light absorption and can rapidly heat up, enabling efficient temperature modulation. The combination of plasmonic and pyroelectric materials allows for precise control over temperature changes, enhancing the efficiency of pyroelectric responses. Applications of plasmonic-pyroelectric materials include energy harvesting, where plasmonic nanoparticles enhance the temperature change in pyroelectric materials to generate electrical energy. Infrared detectors and photodetectors benefit from the rapid temperature modulation provided by plasmonic nanoparticles, improving sensitivity and response times. Catalytic applications leverage the combined effects of photo- and pyro-catalysis, while bio-applications utilize plasmonic-pyroelectric materials for photothermal therapy and sensing. The integration of these materials offers a step change in performance, enabling new technologies in energy, sensing, and biomedical applications. The potential of these materials is further enhanced by their ability to tailor properties through nanostructuring and material selection.Plasmonic-pyroelectric materials and structures combine the properties of plasmonic nanomaterials, which can rapidly heat up upon illumination, with pyroelectric materials, which generate electrical charge in response to temperature changes. This synergy enables efficient energy harvesting, thermal sensing, and various technological applications. Pyroelectric materials, such as tourmaline, gallium nitride, and zinc oxide, generate electrical charge when subjected to large and rapid temperature changes. Plasmonic nanomaterials, like gold and silver nanoparticles, can produce rapid and localized heating when illuminated at their plasmonic resonances. This combination allows for enhanced temperature changes, which in turn increase the pyroelectric response, leading to improved performance in energy harvesting, infrared detection, catalysis, and bio-applications. The pyroelectric effect is characterized by a spontaneous dipole moment in the absence of an external electric field, and the generation of charge and current when temperature changes. The pyroelectric coefficient quantifies the charge generated per unit area and temperature change. Plasmonic materials, on the other hand, exhibit strong light absorption and can rapidly heat up, enabling efficient temperature modulation. The combination of plasmonic and pyroelectric materials allows for precise control over temperature changes, enhancing the efficiency of pyroelectric responses. Applications of plasmonic-pyroelectric materials include energy harvesting, where plasmonic nanoparticles enhance the temperature change in pyroelectric materials to generate electrical energy. Infrared detectors and photodetectors benefit from the rapid temperature modulation provided by plasmonic nanoparticles, improving sensitivity and response times. Catalytic applications leverage the combined effects of photo- and pyro-catalysis, while bio-applications utilize plasmonic-pyroelectric materials for photothermal therapy and sensing. The integration of these materials offers a step change in performance, enabling new technologies in energy, sensing, and biomedical applications. The potential of these materials is further enhanced by their ability to tailor properties through nanostructuring and material selection.