The disclosure relates to a carbon-based electrode material that has been graphitized to hold ions in the electrode of a battery and more particularly include carbide or carbide and nitride surfaces that protect the graphite core. The preferred batteries include metal ion such as lithium ion batteries where the carbon-based electrode is the anode although the carbon-based electrode may also serve in dual ion batteries where both electrodes may comprise the graphitized carbon-based electrodes. The electrodes are more amorphous than conventional graphite electrodes and include a carbide or nitride containing surface treatment.