Two samples were used in this study: a coal based carbon obtained by carbonisation and a gas-phase oxidized sample from the raw carbon. These samples were extensively characterized and their NO removal capacity was also determined. TAP-2 (Temporal Analysis of Products) reactor was used to obtain adsorption parameters and diffusion coefficients of the system NO-carbon catalyst. The diffusivity of NO as well as the enthalpy of adsorption does not change after increasing the number of functional groups by an oxidative pretreatment of the carbon.Peer reviewed