Recent advances in benzodifuran based photovoltaic materials

As a furan-based fused aromatic unit, benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]difuran (BDF) has attracted research interest as a building block owing to its promising photoelectric properties. Its enhanced quinoid character, dense packing, low energy level, and low steric hindrance result in an enhanced photovoltaic efficiency. In this review, we systematically examine previous studies on BDF-based organic photovoltaics. Moreover, we propose strategies for the development of these photovoltaics through a comprehensive understanding of the relationships between the molecular structure, optoelectronic properties, and photovoltaic performance of BDF-based photovoltaic materials.