Unveiling the Traits of Rare Earth Metal (RM)-Substituted Bimetallic Ce0.5RM0.5V1O4 Phases to Activate Selective NH3 Oxidation and NOX Reduction

•RM0.5Ce0.5V1O4 (RM0.5Ce0.5), whose RM is Tb, Er, or Yb with distinct electro-negativity and ionic radius.•RM0.5Ce0.5, whose acidity and redox feature are tunable upon the change in the type of the RM used.•Er0.5Ce0.5, whose BA acidity is greatest in resisting hydro-thermal aging and reducing NOX at ≤300 °C.•Er0.5Ce0.5, whose LA acidity is greatest in tolerating hydro-thermal aging and reducing NOX at >300 °C.•Er0.5Ce0.5, whose LA acidity/redox character are most adequate to selectively oxidize NH3 at ≥400 °C.