In this work, a series of shaped CoB/Ni-foam catalysts were directly synthesized by using a convenient and simple electroless plating method. Despite the low loading amount of CoB, the catalysts showed high catalytic performance in the hydrolysis of NaBH4 solution, and the maximum hydrogen generation rate reached 1930 mL min(-1) (g CoB)(-1) in 1 wt % NaBH4 + 5 wt % NaOH solution at 293 K. The catalysts demonstrated distinct stability, and the hydrogen generation rate was almost unchanged after 6 cycles. Furthermore, the catalysts could be easily recovered from the reaction system by a magnet. These characteristics make CoB/Ni-foam a high performance and cost effective catalyst for practical applications of hydrogen generation. (C) 2017 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.