Catalytic NOx removal with H-2 in the presence of an excess of oxygen was studied. A Pt/zeolite catalyst has a high NOx conversion efficiency, but has the disadvantages of being strongly poisoned by CO and HCs such as C3H6 and the formation of N2O as a byproduct from NOx. By reducing the oxidation efficiency of Pt, we have developed an improved catalyst, Pt-Mo-Na/SiO2, which has a higher temperature range of NOx conversion and a lower N2O byproduct formation, than conventional Pt catalysts. This idea was supported by IR and XPS data of the catalyst. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.