Single atomic Pt catalyst can offer efficient utilization of the expensive platinum and provide unique selectivity because it lacks ensemble sites. However, designing such a catalyst with high Pt loading and good durability is very challenging. Here, single atomic Pt catalyst supported on antimony‐doped tin oxide (Pt1/ATO) is synthesized by conventional incipient wetness impregnation, with up to 8 wt% Pt. The single atomic Pt structure is confirmed by high‐angle annular dark field scanning tunneling electron microscopy images and extended X‐ray absorption fine structure analysis results. Density functional theory calculations show that replacing Sb sites with Pt atoms in the bulk phase or at the surface of SbSn or ATO is energetically favorable. The Pt1/ATO shows superior activity and durability for formic acid oxidation reaction, compared to a commercial Pt/C catalyst. The single atomic Pt structure is retained even after a harsh durability test, which is performed by repeating cyclic voltammetry in the range of 0.05–1.4 V for 1800 cycles. A full cell is fabricated for direct formic acid fuel cell using the Pt1/ATO as an anode catalyst, and an order of magnitude higher cell power is obtained compared to the Pt/C.

We use a combination of density functional theory (DFT) calculations and experimental approaches to explore the stability and electrocatalytic activity of a wide range of transitionmetal single atoms on a TiC support. Our theoretical prediction that single atoms can be stabilized on the modified TiC surface is confirmed by experimental findings using them on a TiC support. The predicted activities where Pt and Au single atoms would be the best for hydrogen evolution and selective oxygen reduction reactions, respectively, agree well with experimental results. This rational strategy using computational modeling of materials enables effective design of highly active and stable single-atom catalysts.

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Methane upgrading into more valuable chemicals has received much attention. Herein, we report oxidative methane conversion to ethane using gaseous O2 at low temperatures (<400 °C) and atmospheric pressure in a continuous reactor. A highly oxidized Pd deposited on ceria could produce ethane with a productivity as high as 0.84 mmol gcat−1 h−1. The Pd−O−Pd sites, not Pd−O−Ce, were the active sites for the selective ethane production at low temperatures. Density functional theory calculations confirmed that the Pd−O−Pd site is energetically more advantageous for C−C coupling, whereas Pd−O−Ce promotes CH4 dehydrogenation. The ceria helped Pd maintain a highly oxidic state despite reductive CH4 flow. This work can provide new insight for methane upgrading into C2 species.