A cobalt-based nano catalyst including a metal combination as a core and a porous material as a shell. The metal combination includes a first metal component Co, a second metal component selected from Ce, La, and Zr, and a third metal component selected from Pt, Ru, Rh, and Re. The catalyst includes between 10 and 35 wt. % of the first metal component, between 0.5 and 10 wt. % of the second metal component, between 0.02 and 2 wt. % of the third metal component, and a carrier. The carrier is a porous material such as nano silica or alumina. The carrier is in the shape of a spheroid, has a pore size of between 1 and 20 nm and a specific area of between 300 and 500 m2/g. The active component of the catalyst has a particle size of between 0.5 and 20 nm.