The low energy excitation electronic states by the hydrogen atoms at the nonmetal surface are described using several possible mechanisms. The study results of the luminescence excited surface of the phosphor ZnS-Tm during interaction with H atoms are reported. Nonstationary with time the light intensity from ZnS-Tm is detected. This phenomenon interpreted on basis of the exchange-associative mechanism taking into account the acceleration of the surface recombination of hydrogen atoms in the adsorbed layer of the vibrationally excited hydrogen molecules. The rates of the absorption and recombination of hydrogen atoms and the desorption rate of the hydrogen molecules are defined. The possible mechanisms of excitation of the surface electronic states during interaction with the hydrogen low-energy atoms are discussed. (C) 2017 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.