Employing the lattice gas model, combined with the linear elasticity theory, a correlation between the equilibrium and transport properties of intercalated species is investigated. It is shown that the major features of the intercalation isotherms and the concentration dependence of the chemical diffusion coefficient can be well understood in terms of the change of the host volume in the course of intercalation. Theoretical predictions are compared to the experimental observations on PdHx, LixWO3 and Li-graphite systems. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.