John Fortner
ProfessorCards
About
Research
Publications
2026
Beyond persistence: SERS-driven strategies for PFAS detection and monitoring
Nam D, Kim H, Ban H, Durak Ö, Park J, Fortner J, Lee S. Beyond persistence: SERS-driven strategies for PFAS detection and monitoring. Nano Convergence 2026, 13: 11. PMID: 41774293, PMCID: PMC12957689, DOI: 10.1186/s40580-026-00538-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHigh bond dissociation energyLocalized surface plasmon resonanceHost-guest inclusionCarbon-fluorine bondsHigh-throughput quantificationPolyfluoroalkyl substancesPortable sensing platformMolecular cavityComplex environmental matricesSurface plasmon resonanceCovalent bondsB-cyclodextrinChemical stabilityFunctional groupsSensing platformPpt levelSpectral deconvolutionDiverse water resourcesLC-MS/MSPlasmon resonanceSpectral interferencesPFAS detectionsSurface functionalizationMaximum contaminant levelMetal nanostructuresAdvancing membrane fouling control via electrically driven microbubble generation: Phosphidation-enhanced electrocatalytic activity of Ni foam and numerical optimization of operational parameters
Yun E, Shim J, Choi J, Oh H, Lee J, Fortner J, Cho K, Lee J. Advancing membrane fouling control via electrically driven microbubble generation: Phosphidation-enhanced electrocatalytic activity of Ni foam and numerical optimization of operational parameters. Water Research 2026, 297: 125678. PMID: 41819661, DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2026.125678.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHydrogen evolution reactionFlux recoveryElectrochemical characterizationMicrobubble generatorOperating parametersFavorable hydrogen evolution reactionMembrane fouling controlNumerical optimizationOptimization of operating parametersMembrane-based processesLong-term chronoamperometryStructural stabilityFoulant removalFouling mitigationNi foamMembrane cleaningNickel foamFouling controlFouling removalTafel slopeEvolution reactionCeramic membranesTransmembrane pressurePermeate fluxFouling severitySolar-Driven Photocatalytic Trichloroethylene Mineralization with High CO2 Selectivity
Gao Y, Wang H, Ren L, Yu K, Sun Q, Wang T, Liu M, Fortner J, Wang H. Solar-Driven Photocatalytic Trichloroethylene Mineralization with High CO2 Selectivity. Nano Letters 2026, 26: 3181-3187. PMID: 41739087, DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c06386.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPristine TiOAnatase TiO2 nanocrystalsComplete mineralizationVolatile organic compoundsHigh CO2 selectivityReaction rateMaterial design strategyMineralization of trichloroethyleneChlorinated volatile organic compoundsComposite photocatalystPhotocatalytic activityThermal catalysisPhotocatalytic oxidationTandem pathwayCO2 selectivityPt nanoparticlesTruncated bipyramidsProduct selectivityTCE mineralizationSustainable routeTrichloroethylene degradationOrganic compoundsProduction ratioTrichloroethyleneMaterials-based strategiesElucidating an unrecognized iron leaching mechanism via sequential reduction-oxidation of passivation layer on stainless-steel cathodes for electro-Fenton process
Li Y, Xie S, Duan Y, Qian A, Yuan S, Fortner J, Jiang Y, Liao P. Elucidating an unrecognized iron leaching mechanism via sequential reduction-oxidation of passivation layer on stainless-steel cathodes for electro-Fenton process. Water Research 2026, 296: 125617. PMID: 41763145, DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2026.125617.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsStainless steel cathodeSequential reduction-oxidationElectro-Fenton processEfficient contaminant removalElectro-FentonPassivation layerLow-cost stainless steel cathodesContaminant removalFe leachingAir-diffusion cathodeHomogeneous electro-FentonCathodic reductionElectro-Fenton reactionLong-term operationOrganic contaminant removalFlow-through reactorMicrostructural characterizationOxidative dissolutionCathode applicationLeaching mechanismCathodeCorrosion dynamicsWater purificationHeterogeneous catalysisFe release
2025
Engineering Magnetic Nanobiocatalysts via Mussel Foot Protein-Mediated Laccase Immobilization for Enhanced Performance and Reusability
Ghosh A, Kim E, Kim C, Şahin B, Zhang F, Fortner J. Engineering Magnetic Nanobiocatalysts via Mussel Foot Protein-Mediated Laccase Immobilization for Enhanced Performance and Reusability. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2025, 18: 3026-3037. PMID: 41472495, DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5c18646.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSuperparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticlesMethyl orange removalHigher activation energyIron oxide nanoparticlesCatalytic applicationsSurfactant ligandsRecoverable platformCatalytic turnoverScalable routeActivation energyOxidation affinityHigher catalytic efficiencyCatalytic efficiencyCationic natureOxide nanoparticlesReuse cyclesSilica coatingOperational stabilityHigh efficiencyAromatic pollutantsImmobilization strategyThermal deactivationLaccase immobilizationReusabilityChemical processesSimultaneous photochemical oxidation of As(III) and Mn2+(aq) in the presence of hematite
Choi J, Kim D, Lee S, Fortner J, Myung Y, Tang Y, Jung H. Simultaneous photochemical oxidation of As(III) and Mn2+(aq) in the presence of hematite. Water Research 2025, 291: 125182. PMID: 41421331, DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2025.125182.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPhotocatalytic oxidationAs(III)Concurrent oxidationSimultaneous photocatalytic oxidationSurface sitesReductive dissolutionSurface waterDirect electron transferMn oxidesReductive dissolution of FeEnvironmentally relevant conditionsPhotocorrosion mechanismPhotocatalytic strategyNatural aqueous systemsPresence of hematiteElectron transferRedox reactivityDissolution of FeToxic metalloidContaminated environmentsRedox interactionEnvironmental relevanceRedox cyclingHeterogeneous oxidationSunlight experimentsTunable, Thermoresponsive Hydrogel-Based Composites for Facile, Low-Energy Water Desalination and Recovery
Sahin B, Tan A, Geiselhart C, Fortner J. Tunable, Thermoresponsive Hydrogel-Based Composites for Facile, Low-Energy Water Desalination and Recovery. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2025, 17: 63827-63835. PMID: 41197612, DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5c18541.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchStimuli-responsive hydrogelsGraphene oxide additionHydrogel-based compositesThermally responsive hydrogelsSalt rejectionResponsive hydrogelsReverse osmosisComposite materialsThermoresponsive hydrogelMembrane technologyWater recoveryWater collection rateWater desalinationHydrogel coreThin polymer shellPolymer shellHydrogelsDesalinated waterSystem tunabilityAlternative technologiesFunction of temperatureOxidative additionExternal pressureUnconventional waterLow energyUnveiling the unrecognized role of phytic acid in promoting hydroxyl radical generation during FeS colloids oxygenation: implications for organic matter mineralization
Peng W, Cui H, Wei M, Yuan S, Liao P, Zhang X, Fortner J, Yuan Y, Jiang Y, Deng H, Liao W. Unveiling the unrecognized role of phytic acid in promoting hydroxyl radical generation during FeS colloids oxygenation: implications for organic matter mineralization. Water Research 2025, 288: 124758. PMID: 41092574, DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2025.124758.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFe(III) mineralsAnoxic-oxic interfacesCycling of carbonFe(II)-sulfidesOrganic carbon dynamicsOrganic matter mineralizationNanosized ferrihydriteStructural Fe(IICrystalline lepidocrociteOrganic matterDensity functional theory calculationsSingle-electron pathwaysMineral colloidsMineralsFunctional theory calculationsOxygen reduction pathwayCarbon dynamicsAquatic systemsFESTheory calculationsTwo-electronHydroxyl radical generationFeS surfaceTop siteHydroxyl radicalsMicrowave Heating of Superparamagnetic Iron-Oxide Nanoparticles Toward Environmental Hyperthermia-Based Applications
Hatinoglu D, Lee S, Choudhary M, Lee J, Attanayake S, Hwang K, Detellem D, Phan M, Fortner J, Apul O. Microwave Heating of Superparamagnetic Iron-Oxide Nanoparticles Toward Environmental Hyperthermia-Based Applications. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2025, 17: 49775-49783. PMID: 40851230, DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5c13454.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSuperparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticlesIron oxide nanoparticlesOxide nanoparticlesParticle sizeSilica-coated magnetite nanoparticlesQuartz sand bedSpherical particle sizeMicrowave heatingField componentsElectric field componentsX-ray diffractionEddy currentsTransmission electron microscopyMagnetite nanoparticlesThermal exposureSand bedSurface spin disorderReverse microemulsionMagnetic heatingNanoparticlesCore sizeElectron microscopySilica-coatedThermal decompositionMagnetic field componentsToward Continuous, Oriented Covalent Organic Framework Membranes for Precise Molecular Separations
Parkinson M, Vardhan H, Verduzco R, Fortner J, Elimelech M. Toward Continuous, Oriented Covalent Organic Framework Membranes for Precise Molecular Separations. ACS Nano 2025, 19: 29934-29960. PMID: 40815608, PMCID: PMC12392735, DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.5c09252.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCovalent organic framework membranesCovalent organic frameworksMolecular separationCOF membranesOrganic framework membranesPorous crystalline frameworkMembrane materialsOne-dimensional nanochannelsOrganic solvent nanofiltrationReticular chemistryCrystalline frameworkStructural tunabilityOrganic frameworksIon separationSolvent nanofiltrationGas separationOrganic monomersOriented membranesThermal stabilityCrystalline matrixMembrane separation processesSeparation processMolecular transportSeparationSynthesis
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
News
News
- June 16, 2023Source: ACS ES&T Engineering
Nanobubble Reactivity: Evaluating Hydroxyl Radical Generation (or Lack Thereof) Under Ambient Conditions
- December 16, 2019
Threat of Toxic Chemicals Draws Scores of Experts to Yale School of Public Health
- December 02, 2019Source: Yale Daily News
High exposure to harmful chemical impacts thyroid hormones in pregnant mothers