The properties of palladium dispersed on carbon catalyst (fresh and spent) were investigated with XRD, textural properties, SEM-EDX, TEM, Raman spectroscopy and XPS measurements. Catalytic activity of the solids was determined in glycerol conversion to lactic acid under hydrothermal conditions. Results indicated that the preparation method leads to solids with high textural properties, in which PdOx or Pd species are well dispersed on the inner/outer surface of the functionalized carbon. The catalyst showed good activity and selectivity to lactic acid, providing evidence for synergetic effect between the carrier and palladium species. The low deactivation of Pd/ AC1 catalyst resulted from the dispersion of the palladium active phases on the support and its resistance against sintering. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.