A carbon nanoparticle and methods of making and using a carbon nanoparticle are provided. The carbon nanoparticle includes a reaction product of an organic reactant, an alkoxy amine, and an organometallic compound. The organometallic compound includes an element selected from the group consisting of a rare earth element, a transition metal element, and combinations thereof, and the carbon nanoparticle includes from 0.5 to 50 wt. % of the element. A method of making the carbon nanoparticle is also provided. The method includes combining the organic reactant, the alkoxy amine, and the organometallic compound into a mixture and heating the mixture such that the carbon nanoparticle forms. A method of determining a flow characteristic of a formation or an attribute of a fluid in a formation using the carbon nanoparticle is also provided.