This paper provides a comprehensive review of hydrogen adsorption in porous geological materials, focusing on clay minerals, shale, and coal. The study highlights the fundamental principles of physical hydrogen storage mechanisms within these materials, emphasizing the role of pore structure and competitive adsorption with multiple gases. Key findings include: 1. **Adsorption Mechanism**: Physical adsorption, governed by the Langmuir adsorption equation, is the primary mechanism for hydrogen adsorption in clay minerals, shale, and coal. Adsorption capacity increases with pressure and decreases with temperature. 2. **Pore Structure**: The specific surface area, micropore volume, and pore size are crucial factors influencing adsorption capacity. Micropores play a significant role by allowing hydrogen molecules to interact with multiple pore walls, enhancing adsorption enthalpy. 3. **Competitive Adsorption**: The presence of carbon dioxide and methane affects hydrogen adsorption. Organic acids can enhance hydrogen adsorption in shale. 4. **Material Comparison**: - **Clay Minerals**: Sepiolite and palygorskite exhibit higher adsorption capacities compared to shale. - **Shale**: Shale has a notable adsorption capacity for hydrogen, although it is lower than that of methane or carbon dioxide. Organic acids can enhance this capacity. - **Coal**: Coal has a higher adsorption capacity for hydrogen compared to shale and clay minerals, with high-rank coal showing better performance. 5. **Conclusion**: The review underscores the potential of clay minerals, shale, and coal as large-scale hydrogen storage materials, with specific modifications and conditions necessary to optimize their hydrogen storage capabilities.This paper provides a comprehensive review of hydrogen adsorption in porous geological materials, focusing on clay minerals, shale, and coal. The study highlights the fundamental principles of physical hydrogen storage mechanisms within these materials, emphasizing the role of pore structure and competitive adsorption with multiple gases. Key findings include: 1. **Adsorption Mechanism**: Physical adsorption, governed by the Langmuir adsorption equation, is the primary mechanism for hydrogen adsorption in clay minerals, shale, and coal. Adsorption capacity increases with pressure and decreases with temperature. 2. **Pore Structure**: The specific surface area, micropore volume, and pore size are crucial factors influencing adsorption capacity. Micropores play a significant role by allowing hydrogen molecules to interact with multiple pore walls, enhancing adsorption enthalpy. 3. **Competitive Adsorption**: The presence of carbon dioxide and methane affects hydrogen adsorption. Organic acids can enhance hydrogen adsorption in shale. 4. **Material Comparison**: - **Clay Minerals**: Sepiolite and palygorskite exhibit higher adsorption capacities compared to shale. - **Shale**: Shale has a notable adsorption capacity for hydrogen, although it is lower than that of methane or carbon dioxide. Organic acids can enhance this capacity. - **Coal**: Coal has a higher adsorption capacity for hydrogen compared to shale and clay minerals, with high-rank coal showing better performance. 5. **Conclusion**: The review underscores the potential of clay minerals, shale, and coal as large-scale hydrogen storage materials, with specific modifications and conditions necessary to optimize their hydrogen storage capabilities.