Non-stoichiometric cuprous oxide. `Cu_(2)O` can be perpared 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 semiconductors?

Explanation

The ratio less than 2 : 1 in `Cu_(2)O` shows that some cuprous `(Cu^(+))` ions have been replaced by cupric `(Cu^(2+))` ions. To maintain electrical neutrality, every two `Cu^(+)` ion thereby creating a hole. As conduction will be due to presence of these positive holes, hence it is a p- type semiconductor.