The kinetics of the reaction of NO with activated carbon without catalyst and impregnated with precursor salts of Ba, Co, Cu. Fe. Mg, Mn, Ni and Pb were investigated. Binary mixtures of those metals with V were also studied. The conversion of NO was Studied (300-900 degreesC) using a TGA apparatus and a fixed bed reactor. The reactor effluents were analysed using a GUMS on line and showed the presence of N2O, N-2, CO2 and CO together with some unreacted NO. The best synergetic effects were observed for samples doped with V + Cu and V + Fe mixtures. This synergetic effect observed with addition of vanadium seems to be related with its ability to wet and spread on carbon surface and with enhancement of oxygen-carbon complexes on carbon Surface increasing CO2 evolution, thus generating new active sites. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.