Polydopamine coated CdSe@CdS dot-in-rod heterostructures with Rhodium-based catalysts for stable photocatalytic NAD+ reduction

We report on a photocatalytic system consisting of CdSe@CdS nanorods, coated with a polydopamine (PDA) shell functionalized with molecular rhodium catalysts. The PDA shell was implemented to enhance photostability of the photosensitizer, to improve charge carrier separation and to offer multiple options for stable covalent functionalization, allowing for spatial proximity and efficient shuttling of charges between sensitizer and reaction center. The activity of the photocatalytic system was demonstrated by light-driven reduction of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) to its reduced form NADH. This work shows that PDA coated nanostructures present an attractive platform for covalent attachment of reduction and oxidation reaction centers for photocatalytic applications.