A method, in certain embodiments, includes providing a metal alloy, annealing the metal alloy, and contacting the metal alloy with vapors of selenium, or sulfur, or a combination thereof. The metal alloy having a uniform first bulk composition and a first surface composition on annealing provides an annealed metal alloy having a non uniform second bulk composition and a second surface composition which on being contacted vapors of selenium, or sulfur, or a combination thereof, produces a selenized or a sulfurized metal alloy. Further the metal alloy may have a layer formed in situ from a low melting point metal within the alloy via diffusion rather than sequential deposition and co-evaporation.