Pd-Cu bimetallic catalysts supported on the cationic resin Dowex. 1 x 4 (gel type poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) with -N(CH3)(3)Cl+- groups) and basic gamma-Al2O3 were prepared by ion exchange and the incipient wetness impregnation method, respectively, and tested in the liquid-phase hydrogenation of nitrates in water. Various methods of the reduction of metal precursors were used. The effect of the preparation method, the temperature, the reduction conditions and the support on the properties of palladium-copper composites was investigated by means of X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and temperature programmed reduction (TPR). The Pd-Cu catalysts prepared by liquid-phase reduction of anionic chloro-complexes of palladium(H) and copper(II) immobilised in a resin, mainly isolated domains of metallic palladium and copper, if any, contained. The reduction using hydrogen joined with calcination of palladium and copper salts supported on gamma-alumina led to well formed crystallites of a palladium-copper alloy. The Pd-Cu catalysts supported on gamma-Al2O3 exhibited higher activity of nitrate removal under given reaction conditions in a batch reactor. However, with the Pd-Cu resin-based catalysts a better final selectivity (selectivity to products other than nitrites and ammonia) at a comparable conversion of nitrates has been obtained in comparison with alumina based catalysts. The catalysts exhibited different stability with respect to the leaching of metals. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.