Abstract: It is MPPE based polymeric carbon materials with high electric and gas conductivity, large surface area with narrow pore size distribution, good mechanical strength, versatile applications and ease of manufacturing. The carbon material can be in the form of carbon powder, carbon fiber reinforced sheets or other types of carbon/carbon composites. This carbon material can be readily utilized in/as base materials for catalysts, adsorbent, water treatment materials, electrodes for double layer capacitors, fuel gas storage materials and fuel cell gas diffusion electrodes. The carbon is produced by oxidation of poly(phenylene ether) (PPE) in air or other oxygen containing atmospheres at temperatures near the glass transition temperature of PPE, followed by carbonization of the oxidized material in an inert atmosphere at elevated temperatures (400-3000° C.) and activating the carbon materials with steam, carbon dioxide, oxygen containing gases, organic or inorganic bases and organic or inorganic acids.