This study evaluates: (1) Ru-containing catalysts for low temperature hydrogenation of acetic acid in aqueous medium to simulate hydrogenating bio-derived oils, and (2) the development of the role of ruthenium-titania (Ru-TiO2) catalytic interaction for this system. A series of 9 catalysts was screened, and a comparison of selectivity versus conversion indicated that selectivity was a function of conversion, with ethanol being the predominant product at low conversion, and light gases being favored at higher conversion by secondary reactions. Exponential trend curves for ethanol (decay) and methane (increase) with conversion were fitted. On a per gram catalyst basis, the most active catalyst under study in the temperature range of 120A degrees through 220 A degrees C with a hydrogen partial pressure of 1000 psi (7.0 MPa) was 5 % Ru on carbon; however, its selectivity for the conversion to ethanol was exceptionally low (5 % selectivity at similar to 70 % conversion and 180 A degrees C) with the primary products being ethane and methane. This catalyst formulation displayed a negative deviation from the trend curve for ethanol and a higher methane selectivity deviation. On the other hand, a catalyst of Ru prepared by atomic layer deposition (i.e., Ru(ALD)/Ti(ALD)/Nb/Si) was also highly active (similar to 55 % conversion at 180 A degrees C) but displayed a significant positive deviation from the trend curve (similar to 40 % selectivity). These results combined with those of EXAFS suggest that the interface between the deposited Ru and the titania support may be responsible for the increase in selectivity to ethanol. In general, the catalysts prepared by ALD were more active on a per gram catalyst basis than the catalysts prepared by standard aqueous impregnation. Samples of catalyst that were observed using transmission electron microscopy confirmed that the Ru was well dispersed in that no Ru nanoparticle morphology was observed within the resolving power of the JEOL JEM-3010 TEM instrument. Regarding the nanostructure of the support, TEM measurements revealed that the ALD method resulted in support domain sizes that were significantly smaller (< 5 nm) as compared to a commercial titania (> 10 nm), promoting defect formation. EXAFS characterization indicated that the best ALD catalyst (i.e., Ru(ALD)/Ti(ALD)/Nb/Si) had higher dispersion (i.e., smaller nanoparticles and thus greater metal-support interface) than the reference catalysts prepared by aqueous impregnation. A Ru-O-support contribution was required in order to obtain an acceptable EXAFS fit ('the long metal-oxygen bond'). Increases in Ru-Ru coordination along with decreases in Ru-O-support coordination were observed for longer catalyst aging times and higher treatment temperatures. In summary, the selectivity to ethanol during hydrogenation of acetic acid was promoted by preparing finely dispersed Ru particles in close interaction with nanoscale titania domains. The hydrogenation of the bio-model compound, acetic acid, over Ru-deposited catalyst leads to ethanol and methane/ethane. Based on XANES/EXAFS results, the reaction on finely dispersed Ru interacting with titania leads to the preferred product, ethanol, while larger Ru metal particles in the absence of contact between Ru and titania leads towards the formation of light hydrocarbon gases. [GRAPHICS]