This paper deals with the study of the bimetallic Pd-Cu and monometallic Cu catalyst in steam reforming of methanol. FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and XPS techniques were used to characterize both mono and bimetallic catalysts. This study presents evidence of Pd-Cu formation in copper catalysts supported on spinel structure ZnAl2O4 during reduction in 5%H-2-95%Ar mixture at 300 degrees C in the presence of palladium. The intermetallic compound is formed by a spillover effect between Pd and Cu. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.