Hydrogen accumulation in graphite and etching of graphite on hydrogen desorption

Studies of Atomic Hydrogen accumulation in highly oriented pyrolytical graphite (HOPG) have been performed using scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) and atomic force microscope (AFM). It is found that after intercalation atomic hydrogen is stored among graphene layers in H2 gas form, captured inside graphene blisters. On desorption of hydrogen, some lateral etching of upper graphene layers takes place. Significant information about intake, retention and possibility of manifold accumulation of hydrogen in HOPG has been found.