Hydrotalcite-supported Pd/Sn catalysts with different Mg/Al atomic ratios (2, 3, 4, and 5) for nitrate adsorption and hydrogenation reduction were successfully synthesized by a coprecipitation method. The results showed that different atomic ratios of Mg/Al resulted in different interlayer spacings and zeta-potentials of the catalysts, which thus influenced its adsorption capacity. With the increase of Mg/Al atomic ratio, the interlayer spacing rose and zeta-potential decreased. The adsorption properties of the catalysts were plainly affected by interlayer spacing when Mg/Al atomic ratios increased from 2 to 4. However, when Mg/Al atomic ratios further increased from 4 to 5, there was a negative impact on the adsorption properties of zeta-potential. Also, the adsorption capacity of the catalysts for nitrate followed the order: Mg/Al = 2 < Mg/Al = 3 < Mg/Al = 5 < Mg/Al = 4. In the catalytic reduction process, the adsorbed nitrates were further reduced to nitrites that remained in the same position in catalysts, but some of superabundant nitrites were released into water as primary and unstable products. The concentration of released nitrites was in the reverse order of the adsorption capacity. The catalytic selectivity and activity of the catalysts for nitrate reduction had the same sequence as its adsorption capacity. (c) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.