The topics related to electrochemical hydrogen absorption reaction into the
metal electrode are reviewed, with particular attention to palladium as a
model system. Faradaic admittance expressions involving hydrogen transport
through the metal in the low hydrogen concentration range are reviewed unde
r the appropriate boundary conditions experimentally accessible. It was sho
wn that direct hydrogen absorption into the Pd foil without adsorbed interm
ediate state of hydrogen does occur at certain hydrogen overpotentials. The
nature of the subsurface hydride just beneath the metal surface is discuss
ed together with its role in hydrogen transport through Pd metal. Transport
of hydrogen through the metal in the presence of two coexisting phases of
hydrogen-rich and -deficient phases is discussed in terms of stress generat
ion at the interface of two hydride phases as well as the movement of the b
oundary between two phases. In addition, the effects of hysteresis and micr
ostructure on the hydrogen absorption are dealt with. Finally, hydrogen tra
nsport through the metal covered by the oxide film is reviewed, considering
the electric field across the oxide film and the electrochemical equilibri
um at the interface between oxide film and underlying metal. Mathematical e
xpressions concerning hydrogen transport through an oxide/metal bilayer are
introduced for the steady state and transient states. Interaction between
absorbed hydrogen and the anion of the oxide is discussed in detail togethe
r with the metal/oxide composite.