Published online by Cambridge University Press: 25 February 2011
Layered compounds are known to form lithium intercalation complexes as electron donor systems. A charge transfer which can strongly affect the electronic properties of the host lattice, and a change of preferential crystallographic parameters without destruction of the original structure are the main effects occuring during intercalation. Optical spectroscopies such as Raman scattering, far-infrared reflectivity, absorption measurements and photoluminescence have been carried out for the study of electronic and structural modifications. Upon lithium intercalation, lattice dynamics and electronic band structure change in numerous layered compounds. The optical properties of transition-metal dichalcogenides, non-transition metal chalcogenides and transition-metal oxides are presented and discussed with the aim of a better understanding of the intercalation process and establish some guide lines for improving the performances of these materials in their most important applications.