Fullerenes – how 25 years of charge transfer chemistry have shaped our understanding of (interfacial) interactions

In this review article, we highlight over 25 years of fullerene research in charge transfer chemistry. The major thrust of this work is to illustrate interfacial interactions between fullerenes and porphyrins in electron donor-acceptor conjugates as well as self-assembled associates and co-crystallites all the way to organic photovoltaics. Hereby, the analysis of the fundamental proceses, namely, energy transfer, charge shift, charge separation as well as charge recombination stand at the forefront. Our examples, illustrate on how fine-tuning the structure leads to substantial alteration of interfacial interactions.