The formation and stability of BaAl 2 O 4 and BaCeO 3 in Pt-Ba/Al 2 O 3 and Pt-Ba/CeO 2 based NO x storage-reduction (NSR) catalyst has been investigated using kinetic measurements, X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. In as-prepared state, the Ba-component in the NSR catalysts was made up of amorphous BaO and BaCO 3 . The formation of BaAl 2 O 4 started above 850°C, whereas the formation of BaCeO 3 was already observed at 800°C and was faster than that of BaAl 2 O 4 . The stability of BaAl 2 O 4 and BaCeO 3 in various liquid and gaseous atmospheres was different. BaAl 2 O 4 was rapidly hydrated at room temperature in the presence of water and transformed to Ba(NO 3 ) 2 and γ-alumina in the presence of HNO 3 , whereas BaCeO 3 was decomposed to much lower extent under these conditions. Interestingly, BaCeO 3 was transformed to Ba(NO 3 ) 2 /CeO 2 in the presence of NO 2 /H 2 O at 300 -500 °C. Also the presence of CO 2 led to decomposition of barium cerate, which has important consequences for the catalyst ageing under NO x -storage conditions and can be exploited for regeneration of thermally aged NSR-catalysts.