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?

Question

Philoid · Accepted Answer

When cuprous oxide is prepared in laboratory, the ratio of copper to the oxygen in the compound becomes slightly less that 2:1. This happens because some of the Cu⁺ ions are replaced by Cu²⁺ ions. In this process, one Cu²⁺ ion is replaced by two Cu⁺ ions. As two Cu⁺ ions are replaced by one Cu²⁺, this creates a defect because of vacant space, i.e. positive hole. Because of the creation of holes due to this defect, this compound conducts electricity through these positive holes. As semiconductors which are formed by electron deficient impurities are called the p – type semiconductors; thus cuprous oxides so formed in laboratory are p – type semiconductors.

Non-stoichiometric cuprous oxide, Cu2O 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?

Non-stoichiometric cuprous oxide, Cu₂O 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?