Modelling of the phenomena involved during the adsorption of NOx on NOx trap catalysts was developed. The aim of the model is the prediction of the quantity of stocked barium nitrate as well as the emissions of NO and NO2, as a function of time and temperature. The mechanism of the process is sounded on the adsorption of gas species (NO, NO2, O-2) on platinum sites, equilibrium reaction between adsorbed species followed by the formation of Ba(NO3)(2). This formation of barium nitrate is limited by the thermal decomposition reaction which liberates NO in the gas phase. The kinetic constant of decomposition of barium nitrate was determined by temperature programmed thermogravimetry on pure Ba(NO3)(2), using the method of Freeman and Carroll. Other kinetic constants bound to the mechanism were estimated by fitting the results of the model to experimental results. The mechanism was validated for various values of the molar fraction of O-2, the molar fraction of NO and various values of the NO/NO2 ratio in the gas entering the reactor. It was also tested with different catalyst compositions (variation of the platinum and BaO concentrations). The importance of oxygen in the process was clearly demonstrated as well as the promoting role of NO2. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.