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ABSTRACTMany studies suggest that lean-NO x SCR proceeds via oxidation of NO to NO 2 by oxygen, followed by the reaction of the NO 2 with hydrocarbons. On catalysts that are not very effective in catalyzing the equilibration of NO+O 2 and NO 2 , the rate of N 2 formation is substantially higher when the input NO x is NO 2 instead of NO. The apparent bifunctional mechanism in the SCR of NO x has prompted the use of mechanically mixed catalyst components, in which one component is used to accelerate the oxidation of NO to NO 2 , and another component catalyzes the reaction between NO 2 and the hydrocarbon. Catalysts that previously were regarded as inactive for NO x reduction could therefore become efficient when mixed with an oxidation catalyst. Preconverting NO to NO 2 opens the opportunity for a wider range of SCR catalysts and perhaps improves the durability of these catalysts. This paper describes the use of a non-thermal plasma as an efficient means for selective partial oxidation of NO to NO 2 . When combined with some types of SCR catalyst, the plasma can greatly enhance the NO x reduction and eliminate some of the deficiencies encountered in an entirely catalyst-based approach.