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
NIPAm Microgels Synthesised in Water: Tailored Control of Particles’ Size and Thermoresponsive PropertiesRath G, Mazzali D, Zarbakhsh A and Resmini M
Polymers, Mdpi vol. 16 (24)
18-12-2024
Interfacial mechanics of β-casein and albumin mixed protein assemblies at liquid-liquid interfacesChrysanthou A, Bosch-Fortea M, Nadal C, Zarbakhsh A and Gautrot JE
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Elsevier vol. 674, 379-391.
15-06-2024
2023
Protein-Nanoparticle Interactions Govern the Interfacial Behavior of Polymeric Nanogels: Study of Protein Corona Formation at the Air/Water InterfaceTraldi F, Liu P, Albino I, Ferreira L, Zarbakhsh A and Resmini M
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Mdpi vol. 24 (3)
01-02-2023
2022
The Architecture of Oligonucleotide-Polycationic Brush Complexes – A Neutron Reflectometry StudyGautrot JE, Chang L, Alexis C, Gutfreund P and Zarbakhsh A
Advanced Materials Interfaces, Wiley
13-10-2022
Adsorption of soft NIPAM nanogels at hydrophobic and hydrophilic interfaces: Conformation of the interfacial layers determined by neutron reflectivityLiu P, Freeley M, Zarbakhsh A and Resmini M
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Elsevier vol. 623, 337-347.
06-05-2022
Optical coherence tomography in coronary atherosclerosis assessment and interventionAraki 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.
Nature Reviews Cardiology, Springer Nature vol. 19 (10), 684-703.
21-04-2022
Impact of the multiscale viscoelasticity of quasi-2D self-assembled protein networks on stem cell expansion at liquid interfacesKong D, Peng L, Bosch-Fortea M, Chrysanthou A, Alexis CVJM, Matellan C, Zarbakhsh A, Mastroianni G, del Rio Hernandez A and Gautrot JE
Biomaterials, Elsevier vol. 284
06-04-2022
Validation of the HERA Phase i Epoch of Reionization 21 cm Power Spectrum Software PipelineAguirre 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.
Astrophysical Journal vol. 924 (2)
10-01-2022
2020
Influence of Buffers, Ionic Strength, and pH on the Volume Phase Transition Behavior of Acrylamide-Based NanogelsJudah HL, Liu P, Zarbakhsh A and Resmini M
Polymers, Mdpi vol. 12 (11)
04-11-2020
2018
Interactions of NIPAM nanogels with model lipid multi-bilayers: A neutron reflectivity studyZARBAKHSH A, RESMINI M, ZIELINSKA K and SUN H
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Elsevier
28-10-2018
Interaction of thermal responsive NIPAM nanogels with model lipid
monolayers at the air-water interfaceZARBAKHSH A, RESMINI M and HuiHui S
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Elsevier vol. 519, 97-106.
17-02-2018
2017
Adsorption versus aggregation of NIPAM nanogels: new insight into their behaviour at the air/water interface as a function of concentration.Zielińska K, Campbell RA, Zarbakhsh A and Resmini M
Phys Chem Chem Phys vol. 19 (26), 17173-17179.
12-06-2017
2016
Corrosion and inhibition of copper in hydrocarbon solution on a molecular level investigated using neutron reflectometry and XPSWelbourn RJL, Truscott CL, Skoda MWA, Zarbakhsh A and Clarke SM
Corrosion Science vol. 115, 68-77.
16-11-2016
Superamphiphobic Surfaces Prepared by Coating Multi-functional NanofluidsEsmaeilzadeh P, Sadeghi MT, Bahramian A, Fakhroueian Z and Zarbakhsh A
Acs Applied Materials & Interfaces
01-11-2016
Comparative Adsorption of Saturated and Unsaturated Fatty Acids at the Iron Oxide/Oil InterfaceWood MH, Casford MT, Steitz R, Zarbakhsh A, Welbourn RJL and Clarke SM
Langmuir, American Chemical Society (Acs) vol. 32 (2), 534-540.
06-01-2016
Smart nanogels at the air/water interface: structural studies by neutron reflectivityZielińska K, Sun H, Campbell RA, Zarbakhsh A and Resmini M
Nanoscale, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc) vol. 8 (9), 4951-4960.
01-01-2016
2015
Interfacial equation of state for ionized surfactants at oil/water interfacesZARBAKHSH A and Bahramian A
Soft Matter, Royal Society of Chemistry vol. 11, 6482-6491.
13-07-2015
Polarized Neutron Reflectometry of Nickel Corrosion InhibitorsWood MH, Welbourn RJL, ZARBAKHSH A, Gutfreund P and Clarke SM
Langmuir: The Acs Journal of Surfaces and Colloids, American Chemical Society vol. 31 (25), 7062-7072.
07-06-2015
Adsorption of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) at the Oil/Water Interface: A Neutron Reflection StudyCampana M, Hosking SL, Petkov JT, Tucker IM, Webster JRP, Zarbakhsh A and Lu JR
Langmuir, American Chemical Society (Acs) vol. 31 (20), 5614-5622.
12-05-2015
Neutron Reflection Study of the Adsorption of the Phosphate Surfactant NaDEHP onto Alumina from WaterWelbourn RJL, Lee SY, Gutfreund P, Hughes A, Zarbakhsh A and Clarke SM
Langmuir, American Chemical Society (Acs) vol. 31 (11), 3377-3384.
11-03-2015
2014
Structural Studies of Nonionic Dodecanol Ethoxylates at the Oil–Water Interface: Effect of Increasing Head Group SizeZarbakhsh A, Campana M and Webster JRP
Langmuir: The Acs Journal of Surfaces and Colloids, Acs vol. 34, 10241-10247.
11-08-2014
2013
Hexadecylamine Adsorption at the Iron Oxide–Oil InterfaceWood MH, Welbourn RJL, Charlton T, Zarbakhsh A, Casford MT and Clarke SM
Langmuir, American Chemical Society (Acs) vol. 29 (45), 13735-13742.
28-10-2013
Adsorption of sodium hexanoate on α-aluminaLee SY, Welbourn R, Clarke SM, Skoda MWA, Clifton L and Zarbakhsh A
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Elsevier vol. 407, 348-353.
27-06-2013
Surfactant mixtures at the oil–water interfaceZARBAKHSH* A, Campana M, Webster JRP, Gutberlet T and Wojciechowski K
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Elsevier vol. 398, 126-133.
15-05-2013
Polymeric organic nanogels: structural studies and correlation between morphology and catalytic efficiencyServant A, Rogers S, Zarbakhsh A and Resmini M
New Journal of Chemistry, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc) vol. 37 (12), 4103-4109.
01-01-2013
Organic nanogels with enzyme-like activity: structural studies and correlation between morphology and catalytic efficiencyZarbakhsh A, Resmini M, Servant A and Rogers S
New J. Chem, Rsc vol. 37, 4103-41409.
01-01-2013
2012
Structural conformation of lipids at the oil–water interfaceZarbakhsh A, Lawrence MJ, Webster JRP and Campana M
Softmatter, Rsc Publishing Logo vol. 8 (34), 8904-8910.
01-01-2012
2011
Surfactant adsorption at the metal-oil interface.Campana M, Teichert A, Clarke S, Steitz R, Webster JRP and Zarbakhsh A
Langmuir vol. 27 (10), 6085-6090.
17-05-2011
2010
Stabilization of alkylated azacrown ether by fatty acid at the air-water interface.Zarbakhsh A, Campana M, Webster JRP and Wojciechowski K
Langmuir vol. 26 (23), 18194-18198.
07-12-2010
Structural studies of aliphatic substituted phthalocyanine-lipid multilayers.Zarbakhsh A, Campana M, Mills D and Webster JRP
Langmuir vol. 26 (19), 15383-15387.
05-10-2010
2009
Neutron reflectivity study of alkylated azacrown ether at the air-liquid and the liquid-liquid interfaces.Zarbakhsh A, Webster JRP and Wojciechowski K
Langmuir vol. 25 (19), 11569-11575.
06-10-2009
Structural studies of surfactants at the oil-water interface by neutron reflectometery.Zarbakhsh A, Webster JRP and Eames J
Langmuir vol. 25 (7), 3953-3956.
07-04-2009
Structural Studies of Surfactants at the Oil-Water Interface by Neutron Reflectometery (dagger).Zarbakhsh A, Webster JR and Eames J
Langmuir
15-01-2009
2007
Composition profile of a wetting film in a binary mixtureBowers J, Zarbakhsh A, McLure IA, Webster JRP, Steitz R and Christenson HK
J Phys Chem C vol. 111 (15), 5568-5571.
19-04-2007
Effect of counter ion size and charge on the structure of amphipiles adsorbed at a liquid-liquid interface using neutron reflectometryZarbakhsh A and Webster JRP
Abstr Pap Am Chem S vol. 233
25-03-2007
2006
A convenient laboratory synthesis of deuterium-labelled trimethyl tetradecyl ammonium sulphateChavda S, Coumbarides GS, Dinglan M, Eames J and Zarbakhsh A
J Labelled Compd Rad vol. 49 (2), 147-151.
01-02-2006
2005
Neutron reflection from the liquid-liquid interface: Adsorption of hexadecylphosphorylcholine to the hexadecane-aqueous solution interfaceZarbakhsh A, Querol A, Bowers J, Yaseen M, Lu JR and Webster JRP
Langmuir vol. 21 (25), 11704-11709.
06-12-2005
Width of the hexadecane-water interface: A discrepancy resolvedZarbakhsh A, Bowers J and Webster JRP
Langmuir vol. 21 (25), 11596-11598.
06-12-2005
Neutron reflectivity study of grafted poly(ethylene glycol) in the presence of an aqueous bovine serum albumin solutionAdya AK, Zarbakhsh A, Bowers J, Shcherbakov MV and Webster JRP
J Indian Chem Soc vol. 82 (12), 1133-1140.
01-12-2005
Neutron reflectivity studies of critical adsorption: Behavior of the surface scaling functionBowers J, Zarbakhsh A, Christenson HK, McLure IA, Webster JRP and Steitz R
Phys Rev E vol. 72 (4)
01-10-2005
Structural studies of amphiphiles adsorbed at liquid-liquid interfaces using neutron reflectometryZarbakhsh A, Querol A, Bowers J and Webster JRP
Faraday Discuss vol. 129, 155-167.
01-01-2005
2004
Adsorption from alkane plus perfluoroalkane mixtures at fluorophobic and fluorophilic surfaces. II. Crossover from critical adsorption to complete wettingBowers J, Zarbakhsh A, Querol A, Christenson HK, McLure IA and Cubitt R
J Chem Phys vol. 121 (18), 9058-9065.
08-11-2004
2003
Adsorption from alkane plus perfluoroalkane mixtures at fluorophobic and fluorophilic surfaces. I. Nature of the noncritical adsorption profilesBowers J, Zarbakhsh A, Christenson HK, McLure IA and Cubitt R
J Chem Phys vol. 119 (22), 11917-11925.
08-12-2003
Study of calcium carbonate precipitation under a series of fatty acid Langmuir monolayers using brewster angle microscopyLoste E, Diaz-Marti E, Zarbakhsh A and Meldrum FC
Langmuir vol. 19 (7), 2830-2837.
01-04-2003
2001
Neutron Reflectivity Studies at Liquid−Liquid Interfaces: Methodology and AnalysisBowers J, Zarbakhsh A, Webster JRP, Hutchings LR and Richards RW
Langmuir, American Chemical Society (Acs) vol. 17 (8), 2548-2548.
01-04-2001
Structure of a spread film of a polybutadiene-poly(ethylene oxide) linear diblock copolymer at the air-water interface as determined by neutron reflectometryBowers J, Zarbakhsh A, Webster JRP, Hutchings LR and Richards RW
Langmuir vol. 17 (1), 131-139.
09-01-2001
Neutron reflectivity studies at liquid-liquid interfaces: Methodology and analysisBowers J, Zarbakhsh A, Webster JRP, Hutchings LR and Richards RW
Langmuir vol. 17 (1), 140-145.
09-01-2001
1999
A new approach for measuring neutron reflection from a liquid/liquid interfaceZarbakhsh A, Bowers J and Webster JRP
Measurement Science and Technology, Iop Publishing vol. 10 (8)
23-07-1999
1998
The structure of block copolymers at the fluid/fluid interfaceClifton BJ, Cosgrove T, Richardson RM, Zarbakhsh A and Webster JRP
Physica B Condensed Matter, Elsevier vol. 248 (1-4), 289-296.
01-06-1998
The Structure of Block Copolymers of Ethylene Oxide and Butylene Oxide at Fluid/Fluid InterfacesCalpin-Davies S, Clifton BJ, Cosgrove T, Richardson RM, Zarbakhsh A, Booth C and Yu G
In Modern Aspects of Colloidal Dispersions, Springer Nature 159-171.
01-01-1998
1997
Study of Off‐Specular Neutron Reflectivity Using a Model SystemRichardson RM, Webster JRP and Zarbakhsh A
Journal of Applied Crystallography, International Union of Crystallography (Iucr) vol. 30 (6), 943-947.
01-12-1997
An investigation of the porosity and surface roughness of liquid crystal alignment layers using neutron reflectivityPHILLIPS PL, RICHARDSON RM, ZARBAKHSH A and HASLAM SD
Liquid Crystals, Taylor & Francis vol. 23 (5), 699-708.
01-11-1997
Recent advances in the study of chemical surfaces and interfaces by specular neutron reflectionPenfold 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
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc) vol. 93 (22), 3899-3917.
01-01-1997
1996
Offspecular scattering from optical gratingsWebster JRP, Zarbakhsh A and Richardson RM
Acta Crystallographica Section a: Foundations and Advances, International Union of Crystallography (Iucr) vol. 52 (a1), c34-c34.
08-08-1996
Small-angle neutron scattering studies of sodium dodecyl sulfate interactions with gelatin. Part 2.—Effect of temperature and pHCosgrove T, White SJ, Zarbakhsh A, Heenan RK and Howe AM
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc) vol. 92 (4), 595-599.
01-01-1996
1995
Small-Angle Scattering Studies of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Interactions with Gelatin. 1Cosgrove T, White SJ, Zarbakhsh A, Heenan RK and Howe AM
Langmuir, American Chemical Society (Acs) vol. 11 (3), 744-749.
01-03-1995
Transitions in a Spread Film of a Side-Chain Liquid Crystal PolymerBower C, Froggatt S, Laycock R, Musgrove RJ, Richardson RM, Rozario G, Zarbakhsh A, Webster JPR, Oqx O, Hill JS, Lacey D and Nestor G
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
The measurement of volume fraction profiles for adsorbed polymers under compression using neutron reflectometryCosgrove T, Luckham PF, Richardson RM, Webster JRP and Zarbakhsh A
Colloids and Surfaces a Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Elsevier vol. 86, 103-110.
01-07-1994
Adsorption of polystyrene–poly(ethylene oxide) block copolymers on quartz using a parallel-plate surface-force apparatus and simultaneous neutron reflectionCosgrove T, Zarbakhsh A, Luckham PF, Hair ML and Webster JRPW
Faraday Discussions, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc) vol. 98, 189-201.
01-01-1994
1993
A study of chemisorption of poly(hydrogen methylsiloxane) using neutron reflectometry and small-angle neutron scatteringCosgrove T, Patel A, Semlyen JA, Webster JRP and Zarbakhsh A
Langmuir, American Chemical Society (Acs) vol. 9 (9), 2326-2329.
01-09-1993
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 glassZarbakhsh A, Cowlam N, Convert P, Highmore RJ and Somekh RE
Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, Elsevier vol. 156, 177-180.
01-05-1993
1990
A study of the amorphisation reaction in Ni-Zr multilayers by neutron reflectometryZarbakhsh A, Cowlam N, Highmore RJ, Evetts JE, Penfold J and Shackleton C
Journal of Physics Condensed Matter, Iop Publishing vol. 2 (11)
19-03-1990
An investigation of the solid state reaction in NiZr multilayers by neutron reflectometryZarbakhsh A, Cowlam N, Highmore RJ, Evetts JE, Penfold J and Shackleton C
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