Magnetic and electrochemical behavior of rhombohedral α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles with (1 0 4) dominant facets

► Rhombohedral α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution (60 nm) were synthesized. ► Uniform rhombohedral α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles were enclosed by six equivalent (1 0 4) planes. ► Rhombohedral α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles showed low remanent magnetization and coercivity. ► Rhombohedral α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles exhibited good sensor capability toward H2O2.