The metallic states of ultrafine amorphous alloy particles CoB, CoPB and Co metal were studied by using JCP, XPS and ethylene hydrogenation reaction test. It is shown that Co component on surface of CoB and CoPB amorphous alloy particles is in electron-deficient state, which leads to the increase of irreversible absorption of ethylene,and results in the decrease of the active site number. Hence the catalytic activity of CoB and CoPB catalysts for ethylenc hydrogenation is lower than that of metallic Co.
