Non-stoichiometric cuprous oxide, `Cu_(2)O` can be prepared in laboratory . In this oxide, copper to oxygen ratio is slightly less than `2:1`. Can you account for the fact that this substance is a p-type semiconductor?

Explanation

In cuprous oxide, ratio of copper to oxygen is slightly less than `2:1`. This indicates that the crystal lattice of cuprous oxide has metal deficiency defects which arise due to missing of same `Cu^(+)` ions from the crystal lattice. The electroneutrality of the crystal is maintained by oxidation of required number of `Cu^(+)` ions to `Cu^(2+)` ion is short by one electron with respect to `Cu^(+)` ion, each `Cu^(2+)` ion in cuprous oxide can be considered as `Cu^(+)` ion associated with a positive hole. Under the influence of electric field, the positive hole moves from `Cu^(2+)` ion to `Cu^(+)` ion and produce electrical conductivity. Since electrical conduction in cuprous oxide is due to positive holes, it acts as a p-type semiconductor.