Abstract. A tailor-made encapsulated catalyst with a H–B zeolite shell has been directly synthesized over Co/Al2O3 pellets to form a core–shell structure without pinholes and cracks by a hydrothermal synthesis method. Pretreatment of the Co/Al2O3 pellets with reflux of hot TEAOH solution can clean and corrode the pellet surface due to its strong basicity, and can enlarge the mean pore s…