C60-Supported Single Pt Atom for Selective CH4 Activation

Supported single-atom catalysts (SACs) exhibit great potential for the selective activation of C–H bonds, enabling the direct conversion of methane (CH₄) into high value-added chemical products. Herein, benefiting from state-of-the-art mass spectrometry coupled with newly designed variable-temperature double ion trap reactors, we successfully immobilized a single Pt^– atom on a unique zero-dimensional carbon support (C₆₀) and observed a significantly enhanced reactivity of C₆₀Pt^– toward CH₄ activation at room temperature compared to inert bare Pt^–. The crucial role of the C₆₀ support in modifying the electronic state of the single metal site (Pt^– → Pt⁰) was highlighted as a key factor in enhancing orbital interactions with CH₄. Furthermore, the electron-buffering capability of C₆₀ also facilitates selective CH₄ activation by cleaving only one C–H bond. This finding not only provides atomic-scale insights into supported SACs for CH₄ activation but also underscores the importance of considering the positive support effects of C₆₀ in designing related catalysts for direct CH₄ conversion.