Hydrothermal synthesis without Surfactant produced α-Fe2O3 nanorods. Obtaining various sizes of nanorods, regarding length and width by tuning pressure and presence of surfactant Effect of chloride ions and calcination temperature plays a critical role in type and morphology of α-Fe2O3. Effect of surfactant ions and pressure plays a critical role in size of α-Fe2O3 nanorods. Synthesized α-Fe2O3 nanorods show high electrochemical properties.