http://www.mpi-muelheim.mpg.de/kofo/institut/arbeitsbereiche/reetz/englisch/reetz_forsch3.html (http://www.mpi-muelheim.mpg.de/kofo/institut/arbeitsbereiche/reetz/englisch/reetz_forsch3.html)
They apparently precipitate PtCl2 with a base into a solution with ammonium salts (soap). This makes "nanoparticle colloidal catalyst" of PtO. They did some red. amination with it. Ning wonders if this would work with nickel?
If you have loads of time, money and equipment, maybe you can research that field. Otherwise I'd reccommend that you stick to proven methods.
It is always very time-consuming to research areas which hasn't even been touched by professional researchers.