Surfactant-free mixed-metal hydroxide water oxidation nanocatalysts were synthesized by pulsed-laser ablation in liquids. In a series of [Ni-Fe]-layered double hydroxides with intercalated nitrate and water, [Ni1-xFex(OH)(2)](NO3)(y)(OH)(x-y)center dot nH(2)O, higher activity was observed as the amount of Fe decreased to 22%. Addition of Ti4+ and La3+ ions further enhanced electrocatalysis, with a lowest overpotential of 260 mV at 10 mA cm(-2). Electrocatalytic water oxidation activity increased with the relative proportion of a 405.1 eV N 1s (XPS binding energy) species in the nanosheets.