Recent developments in alkali metal intercalation of layered transition metal dichalcogenides

The modification of layered transition metal dichalcogenides through interc alation is reviewed, with special emphasis on in situ, intercalation with a lkali metals. Experimental results obtained using photoelectron spectroscop y, low-energy electron diffraction, scanning tunneling microscopy and trans mission electron microscopy are presented, and conclusions about the in sit u intercalation process and the associated crystallographic and electronic structure changes are presented. It is stressed that various kinds of defec ts and disorders must be taken into account for a full understanding.