The effect of palladium precursor on the catalytic properties of Pd/Al2O3 and Pd/TiO2 catalysts toward acetic acid decomposition was investigated. The catalysts were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation of titania and alumina with solutions of palladium acetylacetonate, palladium chloride and palladium nitrate. All the catalysts were characterized by N-2-physisorption, XRD, H-2-TPR, H-2-chemisorption, XPS and IR spectroscopy (DRIFTS in situ). Carbonaceous compounds were formed on the used catalysts and were investigated by TPO, TGA experiments and Raman spectroscopy. The results suggested that Pd/Al2O3 Nit (prepared using palladium nitrate) was the most active catalyst for conversion of acetic acid, followed by Pd/Al2O3 Aca (prepared using palladium acetylacetonate) which was the most selective for H-2.Alumina supported catalysts showed the best performance in acetic acid decomposition and hydrogen production. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.