Herein, we reported the NOx storage capacity, NO oxidation ability and sulfur resistance of the La0.7Sr0.3CoO3-based perovskite-type catalysts. NO could be readily oxidized to NO2 with around 83% of NO-to-NO2 conversion at 300 degrees C over the perovskite. After sulfation, the NSC of the La0.7Sr0.3CoO3 catalyst calcined in static air decreased 58.0%. Nevertheless, a significant improvement of the sulfur tolerance could be achieved through partial substitution of Co with Fe cations, as well as calcination in flowing air. The NSC of the pre-sulfated La0.7Sr0.3Co0.8Fe0.2O3 catalyst maintained 360.7 mu mol/g and dropped only 6.4% as compared with the fresh one. The XPS results confirmed the presence of Fe-2(SO4)(3) in the sulfated La0.7Sr0.3Co0.8Fe0.2O3 catalyst. The EXAFS results further revealed that the formation of Fe-2(SO4)(3) in the perovskite inhibited the sulfation of neighboring strontium from the viewpoint of the local atomic level. These findings strongly suggest that the La0.7Sr0.3Co0.8Fe0.2O3 perovskite is a possible NOx absorber used for aftertreament systems upon lean-burn engines with the advantages of the excellent NO oxidation ability, NOx storage capacity and the high sulfur tolerance. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.