A method for forming a metal-containing layer on a substrate is disclosed. A slurry of the metal is first deposited on the substrate; followed by heating to remove volatile material from the slurry, and to form a layer of the metal. In another embodiment, a slurry of aluminum is deposited over the slurry of the metal, before or after the metal has been heat-treated to some degree. A diffusion heat treatment results in a coating which includes the noble-metal aluminide compound. Related articles are also disclosed.