Pt and Nb-containing MCM-41 molecular sieves addressed to NO reduction by hydrocarbons were prepared via impregnation of NbMCM-41 With Pt(NH3)(4)(NO3)(2) or H2PtCl6 (1 wt.% of Pt). The physicochemical properties of prepared Pt/NbMCM-41 materials were investigated by XRD, N-2 adsorption/desorption isotherms, TEM, H-2-TPR and FTIR combined with NO and C3H6 coadsorption and were compared with those of Pt/Nb2O5, Pt/SiMCM-41 and Pt/SiO2 samples. From the results, the presence of niobium in the mesoporous matrix (NbMCM-41) affects the properties of platinum species formed. Smaller particle sizes of Pt-clusters after reduction and reducibility of Pt species at lower temperature is obtained on NbMCM-41 in comparison with the other supports applied in this work. Furthermore, the nature of the Pt-source (cationic complex or acid used for the impregnation) influences the morphology of the final material as well as catalytic activity of the Pt species. Pt/NbMCM-41 would be an attractive material for SCR With propene (NSR technology), in which Pt cationic species have been reduced during the reaction simultaneously with NO oxidation to NO, NbO- species present in NbMCM-41 enhances the oxidative activity in the NO-->NO2 step and plays the role of storage for nitrate/nitrite species, whereas metallic platinum species is responsible for hydrocarbon activation. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.