a b s t r a c tA comparative study of Pt/Ba/Al 2 O 3 , Co/Ba/Al 2 O 3 , Pt/Co/Al 2 O 3 and Pt/Co/Ba/Al 2 O 3 was performed in regards to their NO x storage capacities and NO oxidation abilities as a function of temperature. The nitrate stability and dynamic behaviors of NO x storage reduction during lean/rich fuel cycles using hydrogen as a reductant were also investigated over these catalysts. It was found that Pt/Co/Ba/Al 2 O 3 possessed the largest NO x storage capacity within the temperature range of 200-350 • C. The existence of Co not only improved the oxidation of NO to NO 2 under lean conditions, but also enhanced the release and reduction of NO x during the rich phase. The Pt and Co co-supported catalysts showed better NO x storage reduction activity and higher N 2 selectivity than Pt supported Ba/Al 2 O 3 catalysts within the tested temperature range. As for Pt/Co/Ba/Al 2 O 3 , high conversion was obtained at either a low reductant concentration with long duration time or a high reductant concentration with short duration time during the rich phase. In situ FTIR studies showed that NO x adsorption over Co-containing catalysts takes "nitrite route" as an important pathway. The intimate contact of Co and Ba/Al could accelerate nitrite/nitrate formation and the synergistic effect of Pt and Co could accelerate NO x reduction.