The results of studying the interaction H atoms with ZnS-Tm3+ surface using the phenomena of heterogeneous chemiluminescence (HCL) are presented. HCL is luminescence excited in the strongly exothermic interaction acts of hydrogen atoms on the surface. The kinetic and nonstationary characteristics of luminescence are studied in depending on the excitation conditions, which serve as light indicators of physicochemical processes, occurring on the surface. The interaction parameters of hydrogen atoms with the surface of zinc sulphide: cross-sections, frequency factors, activation energies based on kinetic and non-stationary characteristics of HCL are determined. (C) 2020 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.