Transition
metal chalcogenides (TMChs) have recently attracted a great deal of
interest in the chemical and physical research fields. These compounds
have a common crystal structure: they usually consist of two-dimensional
or quasi-two-dimensional layers stacked along the direction perpendicular
to the layers. The combination between layers is generally by van
der Waals interaction or weak chemical bonding, making the layered
chalcogenides potential hosts for intercalation. Alkali metals, alkaline
earths, rare earths, and organic groups or compounds can be intercalated
into the structure as spacing layers, resulting in a variety of new
compounds and exhibiting interesting physical and chemical properties.
In this review, we introduce and summarize the latest advances in
chemical intercalation and the role of these spacing layers in TMChs,
and their relation to relevant properties. Especially, we focus on
the developments of chemical intercalation in Fe chalcogenide superconductors
to understand the effect from intercalation on formation, structure,
and property, in the hope to provide some new insights for novel material
design. Finally, perspectives on the challenge and opportunity for
future exploration on this topic are also discussed.