autoionize
/ˌɔːtəʊˈʌɪənʌɪz/(also autoionise) Chemistry and Physics
verb
1 [with object] To cause to undergo autoionization.
2 [no object] To undergo autoionization; specifically (of an atom or an energy level) to pass to a state or level of lower energy with the loss of an electron; (of a neutral substance) to dissociate forming positive and negative ions.
Origin
Early 20th century; earliest use found in Journal of Physical Chemistry. From auto- + ionize, after autoionization.