In pondering of new promising transparent conductors to replace the cost rising tin-doped indium oxide (ITO), metal nanowires have been widely concerned. Herein, we demonstrate an approach for successful synthesis of long and fine Cu nanowires (NWs) through a novel catalytic scheme involving nickel ions. Such Cu NWs in high aspect ratio (diameter of 16.2 ± 2 nm and length up to 40 μm) provide long distance for electron transport and, meanwhile, large space for light transmission. Transparent electrodes fabricated using the Cu NW ink achieve a low sheet resistance of 1.4 Ohm/sq at 14% transmittance and a high transparency of 93.1% at 51.5 Ohm/sq. The flexibility and stability were tested with 100-timebending by 180°and no resistance change occurred. Ohmic contact was achieved to the p- and n-GaN on blue light emitting diode chip and bright electroluminescence from the front face confirmed the excellent transparency.

Although many microenvironmental factors contribute to the color shift of light emission from the firefly chromophore, the dominant one is the local electrostatic field. This opens up the possibility of accurate color tuning the bioluminescent absorption and emission by adjusting the local charged residues. With this aim, the optical response of oxyluciferin for different electrostatic fields is computed by using time-dependent density-functional theory. We find that the wavelength shift is correlated to the projection of the electrostatic field on the molecular plane, and that the fluorescent intensity of the second excitation peak can be effectively enhanced or suppressed (±30%) by field modulation. A model is formulated by correlating the shift in the spectral maxima with the projection of the local electrostatic field on the molecular plane. This method provides a predictable determination of the structural modifications leading to a particular color shift and/or fluorescent efficiency enhancement.

The firefly luciferase has been a unique marking tool used in various bioimaging techniques. Extensive color modulation is strongly required to meet special marking demands; however, intentional and accurate wavelength tuning has yet to be achieved. Here, we demonstrate that the color shift of the firefly chromophore (OxyLH2-1) by internal and external fields can be described as a unified Stark shift. Electrostatic microenvironmental effects on fluorescent spectroscopy are modeled in vacuo through effective electric fields by using time-dependent density functional theory. A complete visible fluorescence spectrum of firefly chromophore is depicted, which enables one to control the emission in a specific color. As an application, the widely observed pH-correlated color shift is proved to be associated with the local Stark field generated by the trace water-ions (vicinal hydronium and hydroxide ions) at active sites close to the OxyLH2-1.