Nanoflower structured a-Fe2O3 was synthesized by adding hexamine to an aqueous solution of ferrous sulphate followed by drying and annealing at 600°C for 6 h. X-ray diffraction analysis, Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy, Raman and DRS UV–visible absorption spectroscopy showed the formation of a-Fe₂O₃ with good crystalline nature. Field emission-scanning electron microscopy investigation revealed that the ?-Fe2O3 has flower-like morphology, which is composed of nanorods. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry were used to investigate their electrochemical sensing property towards uric acid (UA). a-Fe₂O₃ exhibited enhanced sensing behavior with respect to that of bare GCE. Additionally, the a-Fe₂O₃ nanoflowers exhibit better photocatalytic activity of up to 71.7 % against rhodamine B (RhB) in short time of 60 min under visible light irradiation. It is found that the smaller crystallite size and flower-like morphology play a vital role in allowing an interaction between a-Fe₂O₃ and UA or RhB dye which enhances both the electrochemical sensing and photocatalytic activity.