Dr Ali Zarbakhsh
Senior Lecturer in Physical Chemistry
Director of School Admissions
School of Physical and Chemical Sciences
Queen Mary University of London
Queen Mary University of London
Research
Neutron Reflectometry, Surfactant and Lipid Multilayers, Amphiphiles and Adsorption, Structural Studies of Complex Mixtures, Structures at fluid-fluid interfaces, Drugs and DNA/RNA delivery
Interests
Dr. Ali Zarbakhsh, a Senior Lecturer in Physical Chemistry and admission tutor for Chemistry at Queen Mary, University of London, possesses an interdisciplinary research background.His primary focus is on resolving structure-function relationships for self-assembling surfactants and polymeric materials at interfaces. Dr. Zarbakhsh specialises in developing experimental scattering techniques, notably neutron and X-ray methods, to uncover molecular structures at buried interfaces. His current research spans two main areas: soft matter and lubrication. In soft matter, his group concentrates on unravelling molecular conformation at interfaces, particularly in nanogels and amorphous nanosheets for drugs and DNA/RNA delivery, contributing significantly to advancements in cell expansion and bioreactor design. In lubrication, Dr. Zarbakhsh delves into studying the adsorption and tribological properties of lubricant additives at oil-metal interfaces, utilizing sophisticated techniques such as polarised neutron reflectometry. Supported by sources including the European Commission, UKRI, and BP International, his work not only advances fundamental understanding but also offers practical applications in formulation chemistry and industrial processes.
Dr. Zarbakhsh's teaching areas encompass surfactants, interfaces, electrochemistry, colloidal formulations and nanomaterials, reflecting his expertise in these domains.
Publications
Publications of specific relevance to the Centre for Chemical Research2024
Rath G, Mazzali D, Zarbakhsh A and Resmini M (2024). NIPAm Microgels Synthesised in Water: Tailored Control of Particles’ Size and Thermoresponsive Properties. Polymers, MDPI vol. 16 (24) 18-12-2024
Chrysanthou A, Bosch-Fortea M, Nadal C, Zarbakhsh A and Gautrot JE (2024). Interfacial mechanics of β-casein and albumin mixed protein assemblies at liquid-liquid interfaces. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Elsevier vol. 674, 379-391. 15-06-2024
2023
Traldi F, Liu P, Albino I, Ferreira L, Zarbakhsh A and Resmini M (2023). Protein-Nanoparticle Interactions Govern the Interfacial Behavior of Polymeric Nanogels: Study of Protein Corona Formation at the Air/Water Interface. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, MDPI vol. 24 (3) 01-02-2023
2022
Gautrot JE, Chang L, Alexis C, Gutfreund P and Zarbakhsh A (2022). The Architecture of Oligonucleotide-Polycationic Brush Complexes – A Neutron Reflectometry Study. Advanced Materials Interfaces, Wiley 13-10-2022
Liu P, Freeley M, Zarbakhsh A and Resmini M (2022). Adsorption of soft NIPAM nanogels at hydrophobic and hydrophilic interfaces: Conformation of the interfacial layers determined by neutron reflectivity. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Elsevier vol. 623, 337-347. 06-05-2022
Araki M, Park S-J, Dauerman HL, Uemura S, Kim J-S, Di Mario C, Johnson TW, Guagliumi G, Kastrati A, Joner M, Holm NR, Alfonso F, Wijns W, Adriaenssens T, Nef H, Rioufol G, Amabile N, Souteyrand G, Meneveau N, Gerbaud E, et al. (2022). Optical coherence tomography in coronary atherosclerosis assessment and intervention. Nature Reviews Cardiology, Springer Nature vol. 19 (10), 684-703. 21-04-2022
Kong D, Peng L, Bosch-Fortea M, Chrysanthou A, Alexis CVJM, Matellan C, Zarbakhsh A, Mastroianni G, del Rio Hernandez A and Gautrot JE (2022). Impact of the multiscale viscoelasticity of quasi-2D self-assembled protein networks on stem cell expansion at liquid interfaces. Biomaterials, Elsevier vol. 284 06-04-2022
Aguirre JE, Murray SG, Pascua R, Martinot ZE, Burba J, Dillon JS, Jacobs DC, Kern NS, Kittiwisit P, Kolopanis M, Lanman A, Liu A, Whitler L, Abdurashidova Z, Alexander P, Ali ZS, Balfour Y, Beardsley AP, Bernardi G, Billings TS, et al. (2022). Validation of the HERA Phase i Epoch of Reionization 21 cm Power Spectrum Software Pipeline. Astrophysical Journal vol. 924 (2) 10-01-2022
2020
Judah HL, Liu P, Zarbakhsh A and Resmini M (2020). Influence of Buffers, Ionic Strength, and pH on the Volume Phase Transition Behavior of Acrylamide-Based Nanogels. Polymers, MDPI vol. 12 (11) 04-11-2020
2018
ZARBAKHSH A, RESMINI M, ZIELINSKA K and SUN H (2018). Interactions of NIPAM nanogels with model lipid multi-bilayers: A neutron reflectivity study. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Elsevier 28-10-2018
ZARBAKHSH A, RESMINI M and HuiHui S (2018). Interaction of thermal responsive NIPAM nanogels with model lipid
monolayers at the air-water interface. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Elsevier vol. 519, 97-106. 17-02-2018
2017
Zielińska K, Campbell RA, Zarbakhsh A and Resmini M (2017). Adsorption versus aggregation of NIPAM nanogels: new insight into their behaviour at the air/water interface as a function of concentration. Phys Chem Chem Phys vol. 19 (26), 17173-17179. 12-06-2017
2016
Welbourn RJL, Truscott CL, Skoda MWA, Zarbakhsh A and Clarke SM (2016). Corrosion and inhibition of copper in hydrocarbon solution on a molecular level investigated using neutron reflectometry and XPS. Corrosion Science vol. 115, 68-77. 16-11-2016
Esmaeilzadeh P, Sadeghi MT, Bahramian A, Fakhroueian Z and Zarbakhsh A (2016). Superamphiphobic Surfaces Prepared by Coating Multi-functional Nanofluids. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 01-11-2016
Wood MH, Casford MT, Steitz R, Zarbakhsh A, Welbourn RJL and Clarke SM (2016). Comparative Adsorption of Saturated and Unsaturated Fatty Acids at the Iron Oxide/Oil Interface. Langmuir, American Chemical Society (ACS) vol. 32 (2), 534-540. 06-01-2016
Zielińska K, Sun H, Campbell RA, Zarbakhsh A and Resmini M (2016). Smart nanogels at the air/water interface: structural studies by neutron reflectivity. Nanoscale, Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) vol. 8 (9), 4951-4960. 01-01-2016
2015
ZARBAKHSH A and Bahramian A (2015). Interfacial equation of state for ionized surfactants at oil/water interfaces. Soft Matter, Royal Society of Chemistry vol. 11, 6482-6491. 13-07-2015
Wood MH, Welbourn RJL, ZARBAKHSH A, Gutfreund P and Clarke SM (2015). Polarized Neutron Reflectometry of Nickel Corrosion Inhibitors. Langmuir: the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids, American Chemical Society vol. 31 (25), 7062-7072. 07-06-2015
Campana M, Hosking SL, Petkov JT, Tucker IM, Webster JRP, Zarbakhsh A and Lu JR (2015). Adsorption of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) at the Oil/Water Interface: A Neutron Reflection Study. Langmuir, American Chemical Society (ACS) vol. 31 (20), 5614-5622. 12-05-2015
Welbourn RJL, Lee SY, Gutfreund P, Hughes A, Zarbakhsh A and Clarke SM (2015). Neutron Reflection Study of the Adsorption of the Phosphate Surfactant NaDEHP onto Alumina from Water. Langmuir, American Chemical Society (ACS) vol. 31 (11), 3377-3384. 11-03-2015
2014
Zarbakhsh A, Campana M and Webster JRP (2014). Structural Studies of Nonionic Dodecanol Ethoxylates at the Oil–Water Interface: Effect of Increasing Head Group Size. Langmuir: the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids, ACS vol. 34, 10241-10247. 11-08-2014
2013
Wood MH, Welbourn RJL, Charlton T, Zarbakhsh A, Casford MT and Clarke SM (2013). Hexadecylamine Adsorption at the Iron Oxide–Oil Interface. Langmuir, American Chemical Society (ACS) vol. 29 (45), 13735-13742. 28-10-2013
Lee SY, Welbourn R, Clarke SM, Skoda MWA, Clifton L and Zarbakhsh A (2013). Adsorption of sodium hexanoate on α-alumina. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Elsevier vol. 407, 348-353. 27-06-2013
ZARBAKHSH* A, Campana M, Webster JRP, Gutberlet T and Wojciechowski K (2013). Surfactant mixtures at the oil–water interface. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Elsevier vol. 398, 126-133. 15-05-2013
Servant A, Rogers S, Zarbakhsh A and Resmini M (2013). Polymeric organic nanogels: structural studies and correlation between morphology and catalytic efficiency. New Journal of Chemistry, Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) vol. 37 (12), 4103-4109. 01-01-2013
Zarbakhsh A, Resmini M, Servant A and Rogers S (2013). Organic nanogels with enzyme-like activity: structural studies and correlation between morphology and catalytic efficiency. New J. Chem, RSC vol. 37, 4103-41409. 01-01-2013
2012
Zarbakhsh A, Lawrence MJ, Webster JRP and Campana M (2012). Structural conformation of lipids at the oil–water interface. SoftMatter, RSC Publishing Logo vol. 8 (34), 8904-8910. 01-01-2012
2011
Campana M, Teichert A, Clarke S, Steitz R, Webster JRP and Zarbakhsh A (2011). Surfactant adsorption at the metal-oil interface. Langmuir vol. 27 (10), 6085-6090. 17-05-2011
2010
Zarbakhsh A, Campana M, Webster JRP and Wojciechowski K (2010). Stabilization of alkylated azacrown ether by fatty acid at the air-water interface. Langmuir vol. 26 (23), 18194-18198. 07-12-2010
Zarbakhsh A, Campana M, Mills D and Webster JRP (2010). Structural studies of aliphatic substituted phthalocyanine-lipid multilayers. Langmuir vol. 26 (19), 15383-15387. 05-10-2010
2009
Zarbakhsh A, Webster JRP and Wojciechowski K (2009). Neutron reflectivity study of alkylated azacrown ether at the air-liquid and the liquid-liquid interfaces. Langmuir vol. 25 (19), 11569-11575. 06-10-2009
Zarbakhsh A, Webster JRP and Eames J (2009). Structural studies of surfactants at the oil-water interface by neutron reflectometery. Langmuir vol. 25 (7), 3953-3956. 07-04-2009
Zarbakhsh A, Webster JR and Eames J (2009). Structural Studies of Surfactants at the Oil-Water Interface by Neutron Reflectometery (dagger). Langmuir 15-01-2009
2007
Bowers J, Zarbakhsh A, McLure IA, Webster JRP, Steitz R and Christenson HK (2007). Composition profile of a wetting film in a binary mixture. J PHYS CHEM C vol. 111 (15), 5568-5571. 19-04-2007
Zarbakhsh A and Webster JRP (2007). Effect of counter ion size and charge on the structure of amphipiles adsorbed at a liquid-liquid interface using neutron reflectometry. ABSTR PAP AM CHEM S vol. 233 25-03-2007
2006
Chavda S, Coumbarides GS, Dinglan M, Eames J and Zarbakhsh A (2006). A convenient laboratory synthesis of deuterium-labelled trimethyl tetradecyl ammonium sulphate. J LABELLED COMPD RAD vol. 49 (2), 147-151. 01-02-2006
2005
Zarbakhsh A, Querol A, Bowers J, Yaseen M, Lu JR and Webster JRP (2005). Neutron reflection from the liquid-liquid interface: Adsorption of hexadecylphosphorylcholine to the hexadecane-aqueous solution interface. LANGMUIR vol. 21 (25), 11704-11709. 06-12-2005
Zarbakhsh A, Bowers J and Webster JRP (2005). Width of the hexadecane-water interface: A discrepancy resolved. LANGMUIR vol. 21 (25), 11596-11598. 06-12-2005
Adya AK, Zarbakhsh A, Bowers J, Shcherbakov MV and Webster JRP (2005). Neutron reflectivity study of grafted poly(ethylene glycol) in the presence of an aqueous bovine serum albumin solution. J INDIAN CHEM SOC vol. 82 (12), 1133-1140. 01-12-2005
Bowers J, Zarbakhsh A, Christenson HK, McLure IA, Webster JRP and Steitz R (2005). Neutron reflectivity studies of critical adsorption: Behavior of the surface scaling function. PHYS REV E vol. 72 (4) 01-10-2005
Zarbakhsh A, Querol A, Bowers J and Webster JRP (2005). Structural studies of amphiphiles adsorbed at liquid-liquid interfaces using neutron reflectometry. FARADAY DISCUSS vol. 129, 155-167. 01-01-2005
2004
Bowers J, Zarbakhsh A, Querol A, Christenson HK, McLure IA and Cubitt R (2004). Adsorption from alkane plus perfluoroalkane mixtures at fluorophobic and fluorophilic surfaces. II. Crossover from critical adsorption to complete wetting. J CHEM PHYS vol. 121 (18), 9058-9065. 08-11-2004
2003
Bowers J, Zarbakhsh A, Christenson HK, McLure IA and Cubitt R (2003). Adsorption from alkane plus perfluoroalkane mixtures at fluorophobic and fluorophilic surfaces. I. Nature of the noncritical adsorption profiles. J CHEM PHYS vol. 119 (22), 11917-11925. 08-12-2003
Loste E, Diaz-Marti E, Zarbakhsh A and Meldrum FC (2003). Study of calcium carbonate precipitation under a series of fatty acid Langmuir monolayers using brewster angle microscopy. LANGMUIR vol. 19 (7), 2830-2837. 01-04-2003
2001
Bowers J, Zarbakhsh A, Webster JRP, Hutchings LR and Richards RW (2001). Neutron Reflectivity Studies at Liquid−Liquid Interfaces: Methodology and Analysis. Langmuir, American Chemical Society (ACS) vol. 17 (8), 2548-2548. 01-04-2001
Bowers J, Zarbakhsh A, Webster JRP, Hutchings LR and Richards RW (2001). Structure of a spread film of a polybutadiene-poly(ethylene oxide) linear diblock copolymer at the air-water interface as determined by neutron reflectometry. LANGMUIR vol. 17 (1), 131-139. 09-01-2001
Bowers J, Zarbakhsh A, Webster JRP, Hutchings LR and Richards RW (2001). Neutron reflectivity studies at liquid-liquid interfaces: Methodology and analysis. LANGMUIR vol. 17 (1), 140-145. 09-01-2001
1999
Zarbakhsh A, Bowers J and Webster JRP (1999). A new approach for measuring neutron reflection from a liquid/liquid interface. Measurement Science and Technology, IOP Publishing vol. 10 (8) 23-07-1999
1998
Clifton BJ, Cosgrove T, Richardson RM, Zarbakhsh A and Webster JRP (1998). The structure of block copolymers at the fluid/fluid interface. Physica B Condensed Matter, Elsevier vol. 248 (1-4), 289-296. 01-06-1998
Calpin-Davies S, Clifton BJ, Cosgrove T, Richardson RM, Zarbakhsh A, Booth C and Yu G (1998). The Structure of Block Copolymers of Ethylene Oxide and Butylene Oxide at Fluid/Fluid Interfaces. Modern Aspects of Colloidal Dispersions 159-171. 01-01-1998
1997
Richardson RM, Webster JRP and Zarbakhsh A (1997). Study of Off‐Specular Neutron Reflectivity Using a Model System. Journal of Applied Crystallography, International Union of Crystallography (IUCr) vol. 30 (6), 943-947. 01-12-1997
PHILLIPS PL, RICHARDSON RM, ZARBAKHSH A and HASLAM SD (1997). An investigation of the porosity and surface roughness of liquid crystal alignment layers using neutron reflectivity. Liquid Crystals, Taylor & Francis vol. 23 (5), 699-708. 01-11-1997
Penfold J, Richardson RM, Zarbakhsh A, Webster JRP, Bucknall DG, Rennie AR, Jones RAL, Cosgrove T, Thomas RK, Higgins JS, Fletcher PDI, Dickinson E, Roser SJ, McLure IA, Hillman AR, Richards RW, Staples EJ, Burgess AN, Simister EA and White JW (1997). Recent advances in the study of chemical surfaces and interfaces by specular neutron reflection. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) vol. 93 (22), 3899-3917. 01-01-1997
1996
Webster JRP, Zarbakhsh A and Richardson RM (1996). Offspecular scattering from optical gratings. Acta Crystallographica Section A: Foundations and advances, International Union of Crystallography (IUCr) vol. 52 (a1), c34-c34. 08-08-1996
Cosgrove T, White SJ, Zarbakhsh A, Heenan RK and Howe AM (1996). Small-angle neutron scattering studies of sodium dodecyl sulfate interactions with gelatin. Part 2.—Effect of temperature and pH. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) vol. 92 (4), 595-599. 01-01-1996
1995
Cosgrove T, White SJ, Zarbakhsh A, Heenan RK and Howe AM (1995). Small-Angle Scattering Studies of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Interactions with Gelatin. 1. Langmuir, American Chemical Society (ACS) vol. 11 (3), 744-749. 01-03-1995
Bower C, Froggatt S, Laycock R, Musgrove RJ, Richardson RM, Rozario G, Zarbakhsh A, Webster JPR, Oqx O, Hill JS, Lacey D and Nestor G (1995). Transitions in a Spread Film of a Side-Chain Liquid Crystal Polymer. Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals Science and Technology Section A Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals, Taylor & Francis vol. 261 (1), 437-451. 01-03-1995
1994
Cosgrove T, Luckham PF, Richardson RM, Webster JRP and Zarbakhsh A (1994). The measurement of volume fraction profiles for adsorbed polymers under compression using neutron reflectometry. Colloids and Surfaces A Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Elsevier vol. 86, 103-110. 01-07-1994
Cosgrove T, Zarbakhsh A, Luckham PF, Hair ML and Webster JRPW (1994). Adsorption of polystyrene–poly(ethylene oxide) block copolymers on quartz using a parallel-plate surface-force apparatus and simultaneous neutron reflection. Faraday Discussions, Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) vol. 98, 189-201. 01-01-1994
1993
Cosgrove T, Patel A, Semlyen JA, Webster JRP and Zarbakhsh A (1993). A study of chemisorption of poly(hydrogen methylsiloxane) using neutron reflectometry and small-angle neutron scattering. Langmuir, American Chemical Society (ACS) vol. 9 (9), 2326-2329. 01-09-1993
Zarbakhsh A, Cowlam N, Convert P, Highmore RJ and Somekh RE (1993). Neutron diffraction study of a Ni-42.2 at.% Zr alloy made by the multilayer amorphisation reaction and of Ni-42.2 at.% Zr metallic alloy glass. Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, Elsevier vol. 156, 177-180. 01-05-1993
1990
Zarbakhsh A, Cowlam N, Highmore RJ, Evetts JE, Penfold J and Shackleton C (1990). A study of the amorphisation reaction in Ni-Zr multilayers by neutron reflectometry. Journal of Physics Condensed Matter, IOP Publishing vol. 2 (11) 19-03-1990
Zarbakhsh A, Cowlam N, Highmore RJ, Evetts JE, Penfold J and Shackleton C (1990). An investigation of the solid state reaction in NiZr multilayers by neutron reflectometry. Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, Elsevier vol. 117, 692-695. 01-02-1990
Grants
Grants of specific relevance to the Centre for Chemical ResearchNanostructure of Co-Assembled Viscoelastic Protein Nanosheets for Bioemulsion DesignAli Zarbakhsh
£1,185 Science & Technology Research Council (STFC) (01-11-2024 - 31-10-2025)
Nanostructure of Protein Assemblies for Bioemulsion DesignAli Zarbakhsh
£979 Science & Technology Research Council (STFC) (19-03-2024 - 18-03-2025)
Resolving the collapse mechanism of responsive block copolymer brushes for controlled gene deliveryAli Zarbakhsh
£792 Science & Technology Research Council (STFC) (19-03-2024 - 18-03-2025)
Investigation of the impact of polymer brush hydrophobicity and conformational rigidity on oligonucleotide uptakeAli Zarbakhsh
£1,030 Science & Technology Research Council (STFC) (12-09-2023 - 11-09-2024)
Elucidation of the nanostructure of DNA/RNA complexes with cationic polymer brushesAli Zarbakhsh
£1,224 Science & Technology Research Council (STFC) (08-03-2023 - 07-03-2024)
Identification of the collapse mechanism of responsive block copolymer brushesAli Zarbakhsh
£946 Science & Technology Research Council (STFC) (08-03-2023 - 07-03-2024)
RB 2220109: Identification of the collapse mechanism of responsive block copolymer brushes for controlled gene dAli Zarbakhsh
£660 Science & Technology Research Council (STFC) (22-08-2022 - 21-08-2023)
RB 2220110: Elucidation of the nanostructure of DNA/RNA complexes with cationic polymer brushesAli Zarbakhsh
£660 Science & Technology Research Council (STFC) (22-08-2022 - 21-08-2023)
Impact of Protein Nanosheet Structure on Nanoscale ToughnessAli Zarbakhsh
£1,100 Science & Technology Research Council (STFC) (01-06-2022 - 31-05-2023)
Study of DNA-cationic polymer brush interactions for gene deliveryAli Zarbakhsh
£1,246 Science & Technology Research Council (STFC) (01-08-2019 - 31-07-2020)
Nanogel surface templating for nanogels-proteins interaction study)Ali Zarbakhsh
£1,290 Science & Technology Research Council (STFC) (25-06-2019 - 24-06-2020)
Understanding the role of the morphology of nanogels and nature of interaction with Blood Brain BarrAli Zarbakhsh
£1,290 Science & Technology Research Council (STFC) (24-06-2019 - 23-06-2020)
Protein nanosheets assembled structures at the air-water interfaces for cell adhesion and cultureAli Zarbakhsh
£976 Science & Technology Research Council (STFC) (04-02-2019 - 03-08-2019)
Lipid monolayers at oil/water interfaces at high surface pressure as model biological membraneAli Zarbakhsh
£880 Science & Technology Research Council (STFC) (20-12-2018 - 19-06-2019)