Superconductivity at 40 K in La1.8Sr0.2CuO4

High-T _c superconductivity withT _c onsets up to 42 K (midpoint: 37 K, zero resistance: 34 K) is observed in X-rays homogeneous single phase La_1.8Sr_0.2CuO₄. The quarternary compounds La_2–x Ba _x CuO₄ and La_2–x Sr _x CuO₄ (0x0.3 for Ba and 0x<1 for Sr, depending on the heating conditions) are mixed-valence oxygen defect oxides, characterized by the presence of Cu²⁺ and Cu³⁺ simultaneously. These oxides have a tetragonal symmetry (space group:I 4/mmm) similar to that of K₂NiF₄. We report the synthesis, characterization, and superconducting properties of various high-temperature superconducting La–Ba–Cu–O and La–Sr–Cu–O compounds. Through the substitution of Sr for Ba in these oxygen defect compounds an increasing superconducting transition temperature onset from 28 K to 35 K for La_1.8Sr_0.1Ba_0.1CuO₄ was observed. A positive initial pressure coefficient ofdTc/dp=290 (mK/kbar) has been found for La_1.8Sr_0.2CuO₄ with a magnetic susceptibility change consistent with the 100% diamagnetic expectation value.