A metal is deposited onto a surface electrochemically using a deposition solution including a metal salt. In making a composite nanostructure, the solution further includes an enhancer that promotes electrochemical deposition of the metal on the nanostructure. In a method of forming catalyzing nanoparticles, the metal preferentially deposits on a selected location of a surface that is exposed through a mask layer instead of on unexposed surfaces. A composite nanostructure apparatus includes an array of nanowires and the metal deposited on at least some nanowire surfaces. Some of the nanowires are heterogeneous, branched and include different adjacent axial segments with controlled axial lengths. In some deposition solutions, the enhancer one or both of controls oxide formation on the surface and causes metal nanocrystal formation. The deposition solution further includes a solvent that carries the metal salt and the enhancer.