A nano-particle comprising: an interior region comprising a mixed-metal oxide; and an exterior surface comprising a pure metal. In some embodiments, the mixed-metal oxide comprises aluminum oxide and a metallic pinning agent, such as palladium, copper, molybdenum, or cobalt. In some embodiments, the pure metal at the exterior surface is the same as the metallic pinning agent in the mixed-metal oxide in the interior region. In some embodiments, a catalytic nano-particle is bonded to the pure metal at the exterior surface. In some embodiments, the interior region and the exterior surface are formed using a plasma gun. In some embodiments, the interior region and the exterior surface are formed using a wet chemistry process. In some embodiments, the catalytic nano-particle is bonded to the pure metal using a plasma gun. In some embodiments, the catalytic nano-particle is bonded to the pure metal using a wet chemistry process.