Non-stoichiometric cuprous oxide, Cu_2O can be prepared in the 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.

Non-stoichiometric cuprous oxide, Cu_2O can be prepared in the laborat

1.	Non-stoichiometric cuprous oxide, Cu_2O can be prepared in the 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.
Answer» Solution :The ratio less than 2:1 in `Cu_2O` shows that some cuprous `(Cu^+)` ions have been replaced by cupric `(Cu^(2+))` ions To maintain electrical neutrality, every TWO `Cu^+` ions will be replaced by one `Cu^(2+)` ION thereby creating a hole As conduction will be due to PRESENCE of these positive holes, hence it isa p-type semiconductor