A Solvothermal Approach for Synthesizing Pyrite (FeS2) in Undergraduate Inorganic Laboratories

Abstract

A new upper-level undergraduate laboratory experiment has been developed to synthesize pyrite using a solvothermal method in a pressure autoclave reactor, providing students with a safe and practical introduction to high-pressure synthesis techniques. Pyrite (FeS2) is an important mineral with applications in materials science and energy research, making it an ideal inorganic compound for students to explore structural relationships. The experiment integrates crystal growth under controlled conditions with structural characterization using powder X-ray diffraction, allowing students to determine the phase purity and identify the lattice type of the synthesized material. Analysis of diffraction patterns reinforces key concepts in crystallography, including unit cell symmetry and lattice classification. By connecting synthesis conditions to structural outcomes, the experiment strengthens the solid-state chemistry and materials characterization knowledge of the students. Depending on instructional goals, this laboratory module can be adapted for inorganic or physical chemistry courses, but it is particularly well-suited for advanced laboratory curricula emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches and modern characterization techniques.