Superconductivity up to 37.6 K in compressed scandium

The pursuit of elemental superconductors with high critical temperature (Tc) holds immense scientific significance due to their relatively simple material composition, which not only aids in understanding the mechanisms of superconductivity but also facilitates further exploration of high-temperature superconductors in compound materials. Here, we report experimental findings of superconductivity for scandium (Sc) in the pressure range of 64 GPa to 261 GPa. As a result, the highest Tc of 37.6 K observed in Sc-V phase at 243 GPa sets the current record among all elements. An estimate based on the Ginzburg-Landau model gives a zero-temperature upper critical magnetic field of 21.3 T with a coherence length of 39.3 angstrom. Current-voltage measurements show that the zero-temperature critical current and its density can reach 0.146 A and 70 A mm-2 of Sc-IV at 198 GPa, and 0.116 A and 50 A mm-2 of Sc-V at 250 GPa, respectively. Further theoretical calculations show that pressure-induced phonon softening plays a key role in increasing Tc upon compression. Our current findings shed light on the understanding of high superconductivity in simple elements and provide insight into exploring high-Tc elemental superconductors and Sc-based superconductors.