depolymerization

Also contains definition of: unzipping

The process of converting a polymer into a monomer or a mixture of monomers.
Note:
Unzipping is depolymerization occurring by a sequence of reactions, progressing along a macromolecule and yielding products, usually monomer molecules at each reaction step, from which macromolecules similar to the original can be regenerated.
Source:
PAC, 1996, 68, 2287 (Glossary of basic terms in polymer science (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)) on page 2309