Review: theoretical and experimental investigation of the intrinsic properties of Zn 2 GeO 4 nanocrystals

Nanocrystals of Zn 2 GeO 4 have received increasing attention in recent years for their wide range of potential applications, owing to their fascinating physical and chemical properties, which may be modulated through bandgap engineering, and hence are strongly dependent on the synthesis method. This review summarizes the current progress in the fundamental understanding of the synthesis, properties, and applications of Zn 2 GeO 4 nanocrystals. These findings may provide a critical assessment of the variations of structural order–disorder effects that, in turn, afford new chemical insights into materials design. Therefore, this approach is essential to the development of novel functional nanoscale materials with entirely new and tailored properties for applications of interest. Graphical abstract