autoionizev.
/ˌɔːtəʊˈʌɪənʌɪz/, U.S. /ˌɔdoʊˈaɪəˌnaɪz/, /ˌɑdoʊˈaɪəˌnaɪz/ Chemistry and Physics.
1. transitive. To cause to undergo autoionization.
ΚΠ
1915 Jrnl. Physical Chem. 19 768 He explained these results by assuming that the dissociated salt is auto-ionized in the concentrated solutions.
1994 V. I. Srdanov et al. in J. C. Jansen et al. Adv. Zeolite Sci. & Applic. iv. 128 The electric field autoionises the valence electron.
2003 H. Tawara in F. J. Currell Physics of Multiply & Highly Charged Ions I. iv. 123 Subsequently this intermediate state is auto-ionised through simultaneous double auto-ionisation, emitting two electrons.
2. intransitive. To undergo autoionization; spec. (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.
ΚΠ
1938 Rep. Progress Physics 5 216 If the coupling were far from Russell-Saunders, the three levels would probably all auto-ionize.
1960 Proc. Physical Soc. 75 88 The next members..will lie close to the 62S½ limit..and be thus in a position to autoionize.
1977 Chem. Probl. Solver (Research & Educ. Assoc.) (ed. 2) x. 308 Water autoionizes according to the equation H2O + H2O ⇌ H3O+ + OH−.
1995 D. M. P. Mingos Essent. Inorg. Chem. 1 (1997) 69 Water is an excellent solvent because of its high dielectric constant.., its Lewis base capability, and its ability to autoionize.
Derivatives
ˌautoˈionizing adj. causing or undergoing autoionization.
ΚΠ
1919 Trans. Faraday Soc. 15 153 The addition of such compounds to a solvent of relatively low dielectric capacity will thus tend to make the polar solute more highly ionised... The magnitude of this auto-ionising influence may be expected to depend on the polarity of the solute and of the solvent.
1954 Proc. Physical Soc. A. 67 867 The absorption coefficients from the ground into the strongly auto-ionizing levels sp2 2P, 2S, are high.
2002 N. B. Delone & V. P. Krainov Multiphoton Processes Atoms (ed. 2) viii. 218 Autoionizing states of atoms appear as a result of two-electron multiphoton excitation of an atom.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, June 2011; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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