Selective catalytic reduction of NO with CH4 over cobalt-exchanged cage-based, small-pore zeolites with different framework structures

•The CH4-SCR performance of four Co2+-exchanged small-pore zeolites are studied.•Co-CHA is more active for CH4-SCR under wet conditions than Co-FER.•Cobalt ion location differs according to the zeolite framework topology and composition.•Contribution of Co2+ as an active site to CH4-SCR is fairly high compared to [Co(OH)]+.