A series of nanosized CoB catalysts supported on TiO2, Al2O3, and CeO2 were prepared. The catalysts were prepared by incipient-wetness impregnation. The sample was dried at 100 degrees C and then dispersed in water and reduced by an aqueous solution of sodium borohydrate at room temperature. An unsupported CoB cluster was used for comparison. The activities of the supported CoB catalysts were higher than that of unsupported one. The reaction rates of these supported CoB catalysts decreased in the order: CoB/TiO2 > CoB/Al2O3 > CoB/CeO2 > unsupported CoB. The reaction kinetics on various catalysts was also investigated. Copyright (C) 2011, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.