α-Fe2O3 MPMRs were synthesized via a facile and reliable two-step route.
The BET surface area of the prepared α-Fe2O3 is as high as 122.7 m2/g.
The dominant pore size in the α-Fe2O3 MPMRs is around 5 nm.
The prepared α-Fe2O3 exhibits some good gas-sensing properties towards TEA.