A method for making corrosion resistant carbon nanoparticles includes a step of heating a carbon powder to a predetermined temperature. The carbon powder includes carbon particles having an average spatial dimension from about 10 to 100 nanometers. The carbon powder is contacted with a vapor of a metal-containing compound. The carbon powder is then contacted with a vapor of an activating compound. These steps are repeated plurality of times to form a metal-containing layer on the carbon particles.