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

Since copper to oxygen ratio is slightly less than `2:1` in `Cu_(2)O`, this shows that some `Cu^(+)` ions have been replaced by `Cn^(2+)` ions. Since the crystal has to be electrically neutral, one `Cu^(2+)` ions replaces every two `Cu^(+)` ions. As a result, a hole is created in each such case which is responsible for electrical conduction. This results in p-type semiconductor.