Abstract
Understanding hydrogen adsorption on clay minerals is vital for optimizing hydrogen energy applications, including storage, natural hydrogen exploration, and also waste containment. However, safety concerns such as high diffusivity and invisible flame risks limit data on hydrogen’s interaction with various natural settings. This study presents the hydrogen adsorption capacities of four clay-rich shale samples from the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) and three pure clay fractions. Utilizing a high-pressure gas adsorption analyzer, we obtained hydrogen sorption isotherms and found that non-dried clay samples had lower hydrogen sorption due to competition with water molecules. The sorption data were analyzed using Freundlich, Langmuir, and Toth models, with the Freundlich model providing the best fit. These findings highlight the complexities involved in hydrogen interactions with natural materials and underscore the need for careful modeling and analysis.