A novel K2O and La2O3 promoted nickel catalyst supported on α-Al2O3 was prepared by co-impregnation method, and it exhibited higher activity and 6-aminocapronitrile selectivity than Ni/α-Al2O3 during the hydrogenation of adiponitrile in the absence of ammonia, i.e., K2O and La2O3 improved the performance of the nickel-based catalyst.