verb
- to break down a polymer into smaller molecular units or monomers
Usage: chiefly British spelling (American: depolymerizes); technical/chemistry term; third-person singular present tense
Examples
- Heat depolymerises the plastic material into its basic components.
- The enzyme depolymerises the starch into glucose molecules.
- Chemical treatment depolymerises the long-chain polymers.
- Sunlight gradually depolymerises certain synthetic materials.
- The process depolymerises cellulose into simpler sugars.