He completed his Ph.D. in chemical engineering at the University of Minnesota in 1981 with advisor Lanny D. Schmidt on the topic of platinum catalysis of nitric oxide decomposition.
In 2000 he published an article in Nature with John Vohs describing the oxidation of methane and higher hydrocarbons with a composite anode of copper and ceria that achieves viable power densities while producing carbon dioxide and water.
Gorte has proposed a description of solid acidity based on a thermochemical cycle including the proton affinity, the interaction energy, and the enthalpy of adsorption.
Gorte has also developed a method for quantifying acid site concentration based on alkylamine decomposition by the Hoffmann elimination reaction occurring by temperature programmed desorption (TPD).
[6] Other applications include: Gorte has authored more than 400 journal articles on catalysis, surface chemistry, and fuels cells which includes: Gorte has received awards for his contributions to research, education and service, many of which highlight his interest in fuel cells and catalysis and the problems associated with characterization and fundamental mechanisms and kinetics.