Disclosed are apparatus and method for preparing carbon black, in which the carbon black may be continuously formed and activated. In one embodiment, carbon black powders formed in a combustion reactor are converted into a slurry which in turn is refluxed to the combustion reactor in a repeated manner, thereby to allow successive activation treatments. In this way, a sufficient residence time for the activation of the carbon black may be secured.

Carbon black having a specific surface area of 150 m.sup.2/g or more and 400 m.sup.2/g or less, and a ratio (DBP/CDBP) of a DBP absorption (DBP) to a compressed DBP absorption (CDBP) of 2.0 or less.

Carbon black having a specific surface area of 150 m.sup.2/g or more and 400 m.sup.2/g or less, and a ratio (DBP/CDBP) of a DBP absorption (DBP) to a compressed DBP absorption (CDBP) of 2.0 or less.

An electrode for an energy storage device includes carbon black particles having (a) a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area ranging from 70 to 120 m.sup.2/g; (b) an oil absorption number (OAN) ranging from 180 to 310 mL/100 g; (c) a surface energy less than or equal to 15 mJ/m.sup.2; and (d) either an L.sub.a crystallite size less than or equal to 29 , or a primary particle size less than or equal to 24 nm.

An electrode for an energy storage device includes carbon black particles having (a) a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area ranging from 70 to 120 m.sup.2/g; (b) an oil absorption number (OAN) ranging from 180 to 310 mL/100 g; (c) a surface energy less than or equal to 15 mJ/m.sup.2; and (d) either an L.sub.a crystallite size less than or equal to 29 , or a primary particle size less than or equal to 24 nm.

According to the invention there is provided an electrothermic composition comprising: a carbon component; a graphite component having a crystallinity of 99.9% and wherein the graphite is heat treated at a temperature of 2500 C. to 3000 C., and a binder, whereby the composition has a thermal coefficient of electrical resistance (TCR) of 0.0001 to 0.0010 per C. over a temperature range of from about 20 C. to 60 C. in an airborne environment, wherein the ratio of the first conductive component and the second resistor component is selected between 10:1 to 1:10.

According to the invention there is provided an electrothermic composition comprising: a carbon component; a graphite component having a crystallinity of 99.9% and wherein the graphite is heat treated at a temperature of 2500 C. to 3000 C., and a binder, whereby the composition has a thermal coefficient of electrical resistance (TCR) of 0.0001 to 0.0010 per C. over a temperature range of from about 20 C. to 60 C. in an airborne environment, wherein the ratio of the first conductive component and the second resistor component is selected between 10:1 to 1:10.

Particles with suitable properties may be generated using systems and methods provided herein. The particles may include carbon particles.

Particles with suitable properties may be generated using systems and methods provided herein. The particles may include carbon particles.

Systems and methods of making carbon particles with thermal transfer gas. A method of making carbon particles may comprise heating a thermal transfer gas by Joule heating and contacting the thermal transfer gas with a reactive hydrocarbon feedstock gas to generate the carbon particles and hydrogen gas. A method of making carbon particles may comprise heating a thermal transfer gas with the aid of Joule heating and mixing the thermal transfer gas with a hydrocarbon feedstock gas to generate the carbon particles.