Main‐chain polyfullerenes: Taking fullerene to the next dimension

This mini‐review gives an overview of the development, chemistry, properties and applications of main‐chain polyfullerenes. Although these materials have been studied for the last 30 years or so, it is only now that they are finding industrial openings due to the rapidly dropping price of fullerene and an established track record in their use in simultaneously stabilising and improving efficiencies in photovoltaic applications. Main‐chain polyfullerenes bring together the high electron affinity and antioxidative properties of fullerene with the ease of processing, malleability and good solubility in common organic solvents. A short review of the chemistry of polyfullerenes is sandwiched between a brief summary of the properties of fullerenes and a synopsis of the current state of their computer modelling, and is completed with a general survey of current applications.