The supported amorphous NiB/CNTs catalyst was prepared by impregnation, following the chemical reduction with KBH4 solution. The gas-phase benzene hydrogenation was used as a probe reaction to evaluate the catalytic activity. The amorphous NiB/CNTs catalyst exhibited higher activity than the amorphous NiB/-gamma-Al2O3 catalyst. The difference in activity was due to the better dispersion of active nickel and the electronic interaction between Ni and CNTs on the NiB/CNTs catalyst. The thermal stability of amorphous NiB/CNTs was better than that of NiB/gamma-Al2O3. Because the unique pore-channel structure of CNTs can protect the active component Ni against agglomeration. Such results were discussed based on various characterizations, including XRD, ICP, XPS, TEM, DSC and CO chemical adsorption. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.