Aspects of the present application provides for enhanced catalytic materials, which can feature multiple functional and/or catalytic species, and methods of their formation. The materials can include catalytic nanoparticles (NPs) partially embedded within a supporting matrix. Treatment of the material, e.g., thermal, optical, microwave, plasma, and/or chemical treatment, can lead to the formation of functionally, e.g., catalytic or co-catalytic, relevant chemical and structural/morphological species or features at the NP-matrix, NP-pore, and matrix-pore interfaces. The treated material is characterized by enhanced properties, e.g., greater mechanical stability.