Research progress in synthesis, structural regulation, and photo/electrocatalysis of cobalt phthalocyanine

Cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc), a transition metal phthalocyanine complex featuring a unique 18π-electron conjugated macrocyclic structure, exhibits broad application prospects in photo/electrocatalysis owing to its excellent chemical stability, structural tunability, and well-defined Co–N 4 sites. This review systematically summarizes the synthesis methods of CoPc, including solvent reflux, solid-state reaction, self-assembly, and emerging synthetic techniques (i.e., solvothermal method, electro/chemical deposition, and template method). We critically analyze the regulatory mechanisms and design principles of structural modification strategies, such as substituent modification, heterogeneous interface regulation, and support composite. The latest research progress in applications covering photo-electrocatalytic CO 2 reduction, water splitting, oxygen reduction reaction, organic pollutant degradation, and organic matter conversion is comprehensively reviewed, with an in-depth discussion on the structure-activity relationships of CoPc-based materials. By identifying the core challenges that hinder the practical application of CoPc-based catalysts and outlining future research directions in line with current trends, this review offers theoretical and practical guidance for the rational design of high-performance, low-cost, and multifunctional CoPc and other metal phthalocyanine photo/electrocatalysts.