Disclosed are nanoparticles formed from a plurality of two or more different components. The two or more components are dispersed using a dispersing agent such that the nanoparticles have a substantially uniform distribution of the two or more components. The dispersing agents can be poly functional small organic molecules, polymers, or oligomers, or salts of these. The molecules of the dispersing agent bind to the particle atoms to overcome like-component attractions, thereby allowing different and/or dissimilar components to form heterogeneous nanoparticles. In one embodiment, dissimilar components such as iron and platinum are complexed using the dispersing agent to form substantially uniform heterogeneous nanoparticles. Methods are also disclosed for making the multicomponent nanoparticles. The methods include forming suspensions of two or more components complexed with the dispersing agent molecules. The suspensions can also be deposited on a support material and/or anchored to the support.