Phase Transitions Induced in Layered Host Structures During Alkali Metal Intercalation Processes

Abstract Intercalation processes are mostly considered from the host structure point of view in layer phases of the dichalcogenide MX 2 type or closely related to it. Host structure changes are shown to be linked either to true structural transition or to progressive alteration of the host network. These modifications concern three main fields: (i) the sliding motion of slabs with respect to each other; (ii) the changing of sites of the host framework cations; and (iii) the modifications associated with anion shift. Many examples are given which belong to the alkali metal intercalates A x MX 2 family ( M = Ti, Zr, Mo, Fe; X = O, S, Se; A = Li, Na, K) and to the structurally related thiophosphate intercalates Li x M PS 3 ( M = Fe, Ni, Cd, Mn).