Superconductivity at 3.85 K in BaPd 2 As 2 with the ThCr 2 Si 2 -type structure

The single crystal of ThCr2Si2-type BaPd2As2 was successfully prepared by a self-flux method, and the crystal structure was characterized by X-ray diffraction method with the lattice parameters and (space group , No. 139). Bulk superconductivity below a T c (critical temperature) of 3.85 K was revealed in this compound by the measurements of resistivity, magnetic susceptibility and specific heat, and this T c is much higher than those of other isostructural Pd-based superconductors.