A mechanistic kinetic model for singlet oxygen mediated self-sensitized photo-oxidation of organic pollutants in water

•1O2 mediated self-sensitized photo-oxidation of pollutants has not been well studied.•A mechanistically based kinetic model was developed for such photochemical process.•1O2 generation and heterogeneous reaction of 1O2 and the sensitizer are accounted for.•The concentration effect in self-sensitized photo-oxidation process is illustrated.•The model can predict the impact of 1O2 scavenger and D2O matrix in photodegradation.