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The ratio less than `2:1` in `Cu_(2)O` shows that some cuprous `(Cu^(+))` ions have been replaced by cupric `(Cu^(2+))` ions. In order to maintain the electrical neutrality, every two `Cu^(+)` ions will be replaced by one `Cu^(2+)` ions which results in creating cation vacancies leading to positive holes. Since the conduction is due to positive holes, it is a p-type semiconductor.