Methods for making a plurality of microparticles from a reaction solution that includes an organic acid in a solvent are provided. The method may include adding a chromium salt and a palladium salt to the reaction solution; bringing the reaction solution to a reaction temperature of 0° C. to 150° C. to form palladium cations and chromium cations within the reaction solution such that the palladium cations and chromium cations combine to form the plurality of microparticles that precipitate from the reaction solution; and collecting the microparticles from the reaction mixture. The plurality of microparticles comprises a palladium-chromium alloy. The palladium-chromium alloy may comprise chromium in a weight percentage of 1% to 20% of the total weight of the palladium-chromium alloy.