In one aspect, the present disclosure describes a first article comprising nanostructured whiskers having a first layer thereon comprising an organometallic compound comprising at least one of Ru or Ir. Optionally, the first layer further comprises an organometallic complex comprising at least one of Ru or Ir. Typically, the article includes at least one or more additional layers (e.g., a second layer comprising at least one of metallic Ir, Ir oxide, or Ir hydrated oxide on the first layer). Articles described herein are useful, for example, in fuel cell catalysts (i.e., an anode or cathode catalyst).