Superconductivity at 3.85 K in BaPd2As2 with the ThCr2Si2-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 a = 4.489(2) {\AA} and c = 10.322(3) {\AA}. Bulk superconductivity below a Tc (critical temperature) of 3.85 K was revealed in this compound by the measurements of resistivity, magnetic susceptibility and specific heat, and this Tc is much higher than those of other isostructural Pd-based superconductors.