CNT supported Cu based catalysts were prepared for the selective conversion of biomass-derived furfural to cyclopentanone in aqueous solution. The promotion effect was investigated with the addition of Co, Mo, Zn and Ni in Cu/CNT catalyst. The product distribution was greatly affected by the metal composition. Among those catalysts, CuZn/CNT catalyst exhibited better selectivity toward cyclopentanone with satisfactory furfural conversion in mild condition than other catalysts. The effects of process parameters including metal compositions, reaction temperature, hydrogen pressure on the product distribution were investigated in detail over CuZn/CNT. The surface area, metal composition, surface morphology and acidity of the catalysts were characterized by BET, AAS, XPS, XRD, TEM and NH3-TPD. According to the XRD and XPS results, the main species on the CNT surface was mainly Cu degrees. Meanwhile, possible conversion pathways over different catalysts were proposed based on the product distribution. The addition of Zn would be helpful to the cleavage of C-O bond and the formation of new C-C bond to give the intermediate 2-cyclopentenone, which was further hydrogenated to either cyclopentanone. (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier Ltd.