Improved bi-metallic nanocatalysts are manufactured using a control agent to produce nanoparticles having a controlled crystal face exposure. The bi-metallic nanocatalyst particles are manufactured in a two-step process. In a first step, nanocatalyst particles are manufactured using the control agent and the primary metal atoms. The primary metal atoms and the control agent are reacted to form complexed metal atoms. The complexed metal atoms are then allowed or caused to form nanoparticles. The nanoparticles formed in the first step using the control agent have a desired crystal face exposure. In a second step, the secondary metal atoms are deposited on the surface of the primary metal nanoparticles. The secondary catalyst atoms maintain the same crystal face exposure as the primary metal nanoparticles.