Biowaste‐Derived α‐Fe ₂ O ₃ Nanorods for Dual Catalytic and Therapeutic Applications

Herein, we report a green synthesis of hematite iron oxide nanorods with an average size of 8.26 nm, utilizing pineapple peel waste as a sustainable precursor, offering a dual solution to agro‐waste valorization and sustainable nanomaterial development. The biosynthesized α‐Fe ₂ O ₃ nanorods (α‐Fe ₂ O ₃ NRs) were employed as efficient catalysts for the selective reduction of nitroarenes to azo compounds via catalytic transfer hydrogenation from ethanol, an environmentally benign green solvent with more than 90% yields under mild conditions, showcasing excellent catalytic activity. Additionally, the nanorods exhibited significant biological properties, including antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti‐inflammatory, and antityrosinase effects. This article presents an eco‐friendly approach to producing multifunctional α‐Fe ₂ O ₃ NRs with promising applications in both organic catalysis and biomedical science.