Composite carbon electrodes useful in electric double layer capacitors and capacitive deionization and methods of making the same

A method of making a composite carbon electrode, the method comprising:

• providing an electrically conductive porous matrix comprising carbon;
• infusing the electrically conductive porous matrix with a carbonizable material;
• curing the carbonizable material;
• carbonizing the carbonizable material;
• and
• activating the carbonized material to form the composite carbon electrode, wherein the activating the carbonized material comprises flowing an oxidizing gas at a flow rate of from 0.1 to 4.0 liters per min over a period of from 0.1 hour to 12 hours in an environment around the carbonized material.