Superconductivity in BaPtSb with an Ordered Honeycomb Network

Superconductivity in BaPtSb with the SrPtSb-type structure (space group \(P\bar{6}m2\), \(D_{3h}^{1}\), No. 187) is reported. The structure consists of a PtSb ordered honeycomb network that stacks along the c-axis so that spatial inversion symmetry is broken globally. Electrical resistivity and specific-heat measurements revealed that the compound exhibited superconductivity at 1.64 K. The noncentrosymmetric structure and the strong spin–orbit coupling of Pt and Sb make BaPtSb an attractive compound for studying the exotic superconductivity predicted for a honeycomb network.