Pd promoted Ni supported on C-60 derivative was prepared and employed to catalyze the hydrogenation of nitrobenzene (NB). The effects of the function groups of C-60 derivatives and Pd on the catalytic performance of Ni-based catalyst were investigated. The characterizations illustrated that the function groups of C-60 derivatives significantly affected the chemical state of Ni and Pd, which resulted in different catalytic performance. In addition, Pd as a promoter promoted the in-situ reduction of Ni under mild conditions via hydrogen spillover. Pd-Ni-N-C-60, derived from C-60-ethanediamine derivative with the molar ratio of Ni to Pd of 6:1, exhibited excellent catalytic performance. The high surface contents of Pd-0, electron-rich Ni species and the synergistic effect between Pd, Ni and C-60-ethanediamine were responsible for the outstanding catalytic performance. Under 70 degrees C and 1.0 MPa of H-2, the nitrobenzene conversation of 98.0% and the aniline selectivity of 98.2% were obtained over Pd-6Ni-N-C-60 with the reaction rate of 36.7 mol NB/(mol metal.min). The H-2 pressure in the range of 0.1 MPa and 0.8 MPa obviously affected the aniline selectivity at 90 degrees C.