An exhaust gas purifying catalyst for purifying exhaust gas discharged from an
automotive internal combustion engine. The exhaust gas purifying catalyst comprises
a monolithic substrate. A HC adsorbing layer for adsorbing hydrocarbons (HC) is
formed on the monolithic substrate. The HC absorbing layer contains zeolite. A
catalytic layer for producing hydrogen (H2) and reducing NOx is formed
on the HC adsorbing layer. The catalytic layer functions to produce hydrogen (H2)
from at least one of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide (CO) and to reduce nitrogen
oxides (NOx) with the produced hydrogen and at least one of hydrocarbons and carbon
monoxide in exhaust gas.
