A NOx chemisorption study was performed on yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), an O2- ionically conducting ceramic. NO2 chemisorption on YSZ as well as NO + O-2 interactions on Pt/YSZ catalyst were clearly correlated to the presence of surface oxygen vacancies. A remarkable NOx storage capacity was obtained on Pt/YSZ powdered catalysts, by combining nitrates formation and NO2 adsorption on oxygen vacancies. Under cycling conditions (lean phase/rich phase: 3 min/2 min) and using propene as a reductant, powdered Pt-Rh catalyst exhibited overall NOx abatement conversion of around 75% at 250 and 300 degrees C. Pt/Rh/YSZ catalysts were finely dispersed in the porosity of SiC mini diesel particulate filters (DPFs). Quite reproducible and stable NOx conversions were achieved in cycling conditions with values around 50% between 250 and 400 degrees C. In addition, YSZ-based catalysts have shown high thermal resistance and sulfur tolerance. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.