The thermal decomposition of bulk Ba(NO3)2, Ba(NO3)2 impregnated on gamma-Al2O3, and the release of NO2 stored on BaO/gamma-Al2O3 are investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and infrared spectroscopy (IR) as a function of baria loading. Two distinct weight loss events at similar to 434 degrees C and >= 545 degrees C are observed on the gamma-Al2O3 supported samples, corresponding to the decomposition of dispersed and bulk-like Ba(NO3)(2) to BaO, respectively. Decomposition of dispersed phase having a temperature of 150 degrees C lower than bulk Ba(NO3)(2) is attributed to a strong interaction between dispersed BaO and alumina. Bulk-like phase shows a similar decomposition characteristics to bulk Ba(NO3)2 as BaO loading increases to 31.8%. The decomposition products vary from predominantly NO2 at low temperature (<= 434 degrees C) to NO at high temperature (>= 545 degrees C), consistent with the trend expected from the NO2 <-> NO + 1/2O(2) thermal equilibrium. As the total baria loading is increased, the amount of dispersed phase saturates at a baria loading of 14% (w/w) while the bulk-like phase increases without reaching saturation. Both phases can be regenerated on 15 min exposure of corresponding BaO/Al2O3 to NO2 at room temperature. The release of these regenerated nitrates mimics the decomposition characteristics of impregnated Ba(NO3)(2) on gamma-Al2O3. X-ray powder diffraction and IR spectra show that the stored NO2 species gradually convert to a crystalline, bulk-like Ba(NO3)(2) phase when aged at room temperature. These results are useful for optimizing BaO loading strategies for lean NO, trap catalyst. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.