The NOx storage catalyst Pt/BaAl2O4–Al2O3 was prepared by a coprecipitation–impregnation method. For fresh sample, the barium mainly exists as the BaAl2O4 phase except for some BaCO3 phase. The BaAl2O4 phase is the primary NOx storage phase of the sample. EXAFS and TPD were used for investigating the mechanism of NOx storage. It is found that two kinds of Pt sites are likely to operate. Site 1 is responsible for NO chemisorption and site 2 for oxidizing NO to nitrates and nitrites. When NO adsorbs on the sample below 200℃, it mainly chemisorbs in the form of molecular states. Such adsorption results in an increase of the coordination magnitude of Pt–O, and a decrease of that of Pt–Pt and Pt–Cl. The coordination distance of Pt–Pt, Pt–Cl and Pt–O also increases. When the adsorption occurs above 200℃, NO can be easily oxidized by O2, and stored as nitrites or nitrates at the basic BaAl2O4. Site 2 is regenerated quickly. A high adsorption temperature is favorable for nitrate formation.

A new NOx storage-reduction electrochemical catalyst has been prepared from a polycrystalline Pt film deposited on 8 mol% Y2O3- stabilized ZrO2 (YSZ) solid electrolyte. BaO has been added onto the Pt film by impregnation method. The NOx storage capacity of Pt-BaO/ YSZ system was investigated at 350℃ and 400℃ under lean conditions. Results have shown that the electrochemical catalyst was effective for NOx storage. When nitric oxides are fully stored, the catalyst potential is high and reaches its maximum. On the other hand, when a part of NO and also NO2 desorb to the gas phase, the catalyst potential remarkably drops and finally stabilizes when no more NOx storage occurs but only the reaction of NO oxidation into NO2. Furthermore, the investigation has clearly demonstrated that the catalyst potential variation versus temperature or chemical composition is an effective indicator for in situ following the NOx storage-reduction process, i.e. the storage as well as the regeneration phase. The catalyst potential variations during NOx storage process was explained in terms of oxygen coverage modifications on the Pt.

The combustion of light hydrocarbons finds an important application in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) abatement. Catalytic combustion is interesting in this domain, because it may be carried out at relatively low temperatures and under large air excess. For this purpose, precious metal-based catalysts are very performing, but the quest for a lower-cost alternative solution is necessary. In this field, conducting mixed oxides such as perovskites are good candidates, especially when they are electrochemically promoted. The present work shows that electrochemical promotion of catalytic activity (NEMCA effect) in propene total combustion can be carried out with La0.8Sr0.2Co0.8Fe0.2O3, an electron-conducting perovskite-type oxide, deposited on YSZ.