Catalytic articles comprising a substrate having a catalytic coating thereon, the catalytic coating comprising a catalytic layer having a thickness and an inner surface proximate to the substrate and an outer surface distal to the substrate; where the catalytic layer comprises a noble metal component on support particles and where the concentration of the noble metal component towards the outer surface is greater than the concentration towards the inner surface are highly effective towards treating exhaust gas streams of internal combustion engines. The articles are prepared via a method comprising providing a first mixture comprising micron-scaled support particles and applying the first mixture to a substrate to form a micro-particle layer; providing a second mixture comprising nano-scaled support particles and a noble metal component having an initial pH and applying the second mixture to the micro-particle layer and calcining the substrate.