The catalytic oxidation of NO on N-doped activated carbons provides a promising alternative for the control of emissions of this air pollutant. Materials with different contents of nitrogen were obtained from an activated carbon precursor modified by different treatments. The presence of nitrogen-containing surface groups was shown to favour the oxidation of NO to NO2. The oxygen concentration in the gas phase strongly influenced the oxidation of NO. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.