Progress of hydrogen permeation barrier adjusted by two-dimensional materials

The permeation of hydrogen and its isotope lead to many problems in hydrogen related field, such as hydrogen damage of structural materials, energy waste and environmental pollution etc. Hydrogen permeation barriers prepared on structural materials has become the most promising techniques to prevent the hydrogen penetration. In this paper, the properties of various types of conventional coatings are summarized, furthermore, the existing issues of low efficiency and short lifetime are expounded. Latest research show that two-dimensional (2D) materials membranes, such as grapheme, possess strong impermeability, especially in multi-layer stacking structures, while the conventional coatings also possess definite property of hydrogen adsorption storage. By the analyze of hydrogen penetrate mechanism, the novel hydrogen permeation barrier structure model is proposed, which suggests 2D materials as hydrogen barrier layer combined with the hydrogen storage character of the conventional coatings, the present preparation and application status of the hydrogen barrier layers together with the storage mechanism of the hydrogen storage layers are elucidated, and the application effects of different structure styles for various environments are discussed simultaneously. Finally, the potential applications of the novel structure of hydrogen barriers are prospected.