The electrical conductivity of pyrophosphates M4P2O7 (M = Na, K, Rb, C
s) was measured on alternating current in the temperature range of rou
ghly 400 to 800-degrees-C. In all of the compounds under study, the co
nduction is by alkali-metal cations. The electrical conductivity is ab
out 10(-4) S/cm at 400-degrees-C and about 10(-2) S/cm at 800-degrees-
C, and can be significantly increased through the introduction of modi
fying additives.