A series of nickel-based catalysts with HNO3-pretreated CNTs as support (x% Ni/CNTs, x represents the Ni loading amount) were synthesized using impregnation method, which were successfully applied for the upgrading of model compound (furfural) in bio-oil. Effects of nickel loading amount, reaction temperature, reaction time and hydrogen pressure on conversion of furfural as well as selectivity for cyclopentanol were investigated systematically. The conversion of furfural over 30 wt% Ni/CNTs was up to 96.5 % with a yield of 83.6 % toward cyclopentanol, when the reaction was carried out at 140 A degrees C with a initial H-2 pressure of 5.0 MPa. The features of the Ni/CNTs catalysts were investigated via XRD, XPS, TEM. .