self-ionization; autoionization; self-dissociation
Chemistry term for a molecule ionizing itself without an external agent, most commonly used for water (水の自己解離).
Due to the self-ionization of water, even pure water contains a tiny amount of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions.
電離 is a broader term for ionization in general, while 自己解離 specifically refers to a substance ionizing itself without an external agent.
Compound of 自己 (self) and 解離 (dissociation), a direct translation of the English scientific term 'self-dissociation' or 'autoionization'.