HYDROGEN STORAGE MATERIAL, NEGATIVE ELECTRODE AND NICKEL HYDROGEN SECONDARY BATTERY

The present invention provides a hydrogen storage material which is capable of improving the discharge characteristics of a nickel hydrogen secondary battery at low temperatures; and a negative electrode and a nickel hydrogen secondary battery, each of which uses this hydrogen storage material. This hydrogen storage material has a specific composition, while containing hydrogen storage alloy particles and a surface modification substance that adheres to the surfaces of the particles. With respect to the X-ray diffraction pattern of this hydrogen storage material, if the relative intensity of the maximum peak Pmax among the diffraction peaks in the range of 2[theta]=42.00 degrees to 44.00 degrees is taken as 100.00%, the relative intensity of the maximum peak P1 in the range of 2[theta]=30.35 degrees to 30.65 degrees is from 4.00% to 70.00% (inclusive), the relative intensity of the maximum peak P2 in the range of 2[theta]=32.85 degrees to 33.15 degrees is less than 60.00%, and the relative intensity of the ma