Comprehensive study of the synthetic tychite, Na₆Mg₂(CO₃)₄SO₄: synthesis, structure and conductive properties

The structural and conductive properties of the synthetic tychite Na₆Mg₂(CO₃)₄SO₄ (space group: Fd3̄) were explored. Optimal synthesis parameters were selected by varying the molar ratio of reagents, synthesis temperature and time. For structural descriptions, we carried out scanning electron microscopy, thermal analysis, and Raman and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. We carried out theoretical and experimental studies of conductivity. Theoretical calculations were obtained using geometrical-topological analysis based on Voronoi partitioning (the evaluation of geometrical sizes of voids and channels), the bond valence site energy (BVSE) method (the fast calculation of migration energies, E_m), kinetic Monte Carlo simulation (the estimation of ionic conductivity at different temperatures), and density functional theory (the precise assessment of E_m and vacancy formation energies). The experimental techniques included electrochemical impedance spectroscopy EIS (total conductivity determination) and direct current DC polarization (electronic conductivity assessment) measurements. Na₆Mg₂(CO₃)₄SO₄ was found to have a three-periodic Na⁺-ion migration map with an E_m of 0.37 eV and 0.18 eV from BVSE and DFT results, respectively. The theoretical value of cationic conductivity was 2.6 × 10^-7 S cm^-1 at 100 °C. The experimental total conductivity was equal to 6.0 × 10^-7 S cm^-1 at 100 °C, which is close to theoretical results. Using additional DC polarization, the electronic contribution to the total conductivity was characterized as insignificant.