Deposition-precipitation versus anionic-exchange Au/Al2O3 catalysts: A comparative investigation towards the selective reduction of NOx

► Redispersion of gold species under operating conditions in wet atmosphere at 500 °C. ► Surface reconstructions inducing selectivity enhancement toward N2 production. ► Detrimental effect of pre-reductive treatment on the selective NO conversion to N2. ► Anionic exchange Au/Al2O3 as promising issue in DeNOx catalysis.