Hierarchical electrostatic nanotemplating and self-assembly of electron-transferring hybrid nanostructures: CdS-polymer-porphyrin particles.

We demonstrate a versatile route to functional multi-component nanostructures by a hierarchical electrostatic nanotemplating - self-assembly approach: CdS-polyelectrolyte-porphyrin structures are formed in aqueous solution. The system was investigated with regard to its photocatalytic activity in different model reactions, and the mechanisms upon excitation were elucidated.