Catalytic selective reduction of NO to N-2 was studied comparing a series of Cu-based catalysts (ca. 8 wt.%) supported over amorphous pure and modified silicas: SiO2, SiO2-Al2O3, SiO2-TiO2, SiO2-ZrO2. The catalysts were prepared by the chemisorption-hydrolysis method which ensured the formation of a unique copper phase well dispersed over all supports, as confirmed by scanning electron micrographs (SEMs). Temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) analysts confirmed the presence of dispersed copper species which underwent complete reduction at a temperature of about 220 degreesC, independently of the support. It was found that the support affects the extent of NO reduction as well as the selectivity to N-2 formation. Maximum N-2 yield was found in the range 275-300 degreesC. The catalyst prepared over SiO2-Al2O3 was the most active and selective with respect to the other silicas. Competitiveness factors (c.f.'s) as high as 13-20% in the temperature range 200-250 degreesC could be calculated. For all catalysts, the temperature of the N-2 peak maximum did not correspond to that of the maximum C2H4 oxidation to CO2, suggesting the presence of two different sites for the oxidation and the reduction activity. On the catalyst prepared on SiO2-Al2O3, a kinetic interpretation of catalytic data collected at different contact times and temperatures permitted evaluating the ratio between kinetic coefficients as well as the difference between activation energies of NO reduction by C2H4 and C2H4 oxidation by O-2. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.