Montajar Sarkar

Tyre and road wear particles (TRWPs) represent one of the most significant yet under-recognised sources of global microplastic pollution, contributing up to 28% of total emissions. Generated from the complex interaction between vehicle tyres and road surfaces, TRWPs are chemically diverse, morphologically heterogeneous, and environmentally persistent, making their detection and management particularly challenging. This review provides a critical synthesis of current knowledge on TRWP generation mechanisms, influenced by tyre composition, road types, and vehicle operation, and their environmental dispersion through air, stormwater runoff, snow removal, and roadside deposition. The chemical and physical complexity of TRWPs—often composed of rubber, bitumen, road paint, and heavy metals—necessitates multifaceted analytical approaches. We synthesise current advancements in TRWP identification techniques, including microscopy, micro-spectroscopy, and thermal desorption methods, while benchmarking their applicability using ISO standards. Furthermore, we develop an integrated framework synthesising current classification schemes, detection strategies, and regional policy responses for TRWP assessment. By identifying analytical and regulatory gaps, this review highlights the need for harmonised methodologies, improved analytical comparability, and coordinated policy interventions to address the environmental and health implications of TRWPs.

Understanding the hybrid structural characteristics of carbon remains a significant challenge, hindering the development of clear design principles for optimizing electrode materials in energy storage systems—particularly in lithium‐ion (Li‐ion) and sodium‐ion (Na‐ion) batteries. Traditionally, the localized structural disorder and intrinsic porosity of carbon have been regarded as the primary contributors to its high storage capacity in Na‐ion batteries. However, our investigation reveals that the hybrid structural features of carbon play a more dominant role in enhancing energy storage performance in Li‐ion systems compared to Na‐ion counterparts. Through comprehensive materials characterization and electrochemical analysis, we establish a direct correlation between the local microstructural attributes of carbon and its ion storage kinetics which elucidate the distinct ion‐storage mechanisms that differentiate Li‐ion from Na‐ion systems. This study reinforces our findings that configurational defects are crucial for achieving high initial storage capacity in carbon crafted with mixed‐phase structures, but the in‐plane size of nano‐layered microdomains plays a key role in ensuring long‐term stable storage capacity in rechargeable batteries.

Carbon anode‐based Li‐ion batteries (LIBs) have been widely used ranging from portable electronics to electric vehicles (EVs). Here a novel carbon material called microzonal carbon is introduced, synthesized from waste hard rubber (WHR), as an anode material for next‐generation LIBs. This material consists of a hybrid carbon structure embedded with short range ordered carbon zones, including expanded graphene sheets and nanopores. Two types of microzonal carbons (M‐5H and M‐10H) are tested in LIBs to unveil their electrochemical performance. The anode fabricated with M‐10H provides a high initial coulombic efficiency (60%), reversible capacity (377 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.13 C), rate capability (275 mA h g⁻¹ at 2.6 C) and cyclic stability (capacity retention of 99% at 0.13 C after 100 cycles). The electrochemical properties of microzonal carbon can be attributed to its unique hybrid carbon structure, facilitating fast ion diffusion, high electronic conductivity, and the ability to form stable interphase. Therefore, this work presents new insights into the electrochemical behavior of microzonal carbon as an anode material in next‐generation LIBs.