Photoelectrochemical NADH regeneration is highly sensitive to the nature of electrode surface.

(Photo)electrochemistry enables the synthesis of high-value fine chemicals and highly selective activation of molecules that are difficult to prepare using conventional chemical methods. In this work, light-driven NADH (reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) regeneration is achieved using a molecular Rh(III) mediator on Si photoelectrodes. This process is observed to be highly sensitive to the surface nature of Si photoelectrodes, exhibiting an overpotential reduction up to 600 mV on Si nanowires (SiNWs) as compared to planar Si. The use of a molecular mediator and SiNWs enables 100% selectivity toward NADH synthesis within a broad potential window. The origin of the striking difference is identified as the multifaceted nature of SiNWs.