Method for making a direct synthesis hydrogen peroxide catalyst includes (i) mixing together a solvent, a plurality of noble metal catalyst atoms, and a plurality of organic dispersing agent molecules, the organic dispersing agent molecules each including at least one functional group capable of bonding with the noble metal catalyst atoms; (ii) reacting the organic dispersing agent with the catalyst atoms to form complexed catalyst atoms and forming a plurality of catalytic nanoparticles from the complexed catalyst atoms; (iii) supporting the catalytic nanoparticles on a support material; and (iv) reducing the catalyst atoms at a temperature of at least 351° C. to yield a supported and activated direct synthesis hydrogen peroxide catalyst.