The present disclosure provides, for example, systems and methods for generating carbon particles. Carbon particles may have a total content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons of less than or equal to about 0.5 parts per million, a content of benzo[a]pyrene of less than or equal to about 5 parts per billion, and a water spreading pressure that is less than about 5 mJ/m2. A carbon particle among the carbon particles may comprise less than about 0.3% sulfur by weight or less than or equal to about 0.03% ash by weight.