NANOPARTICULES CREUSES DE PLATINE POUR PILES A COMBUSTIBLE

Hollow platinum nanoparticle having a diameter of 3-20 nm, comprising a first central cavity and optionally at least one second cavity at the periphery of the first central cavity, and a dense and single-crystal shell, is new, where the shell has a thickness of 0.2-5 nm, the nanoparticle does not include any alloy elements of the non-noble metal type, and the nanoparticle is quasi-spherical. Independent claims are included for: (1) manufacturing the hollow platinum nanoparticles; and (2) use of hollow platinum nanoparticles in a device operating at a low temperature, where the nanoparticles are formed using alkaline fuel cell (AFC), phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC), cells with a proton exchange membrane, cells with direct oxidation of alcohol, cells with direct oxidation of other light weight organic compounds, cells with direct oxidation of borohydride, electrolyzers for generating hydrogen, electrolyzers for generating chlorinated products, electrolyzers for generating hydrogen peroxide, reducing or oxidizing gas sensors, and metal air batteries.