Electrochemically active material for negative electrode of an alkaline electrolyte secondary battery

An electrochemically active material comprises a hydride alloy of which the surface is coated with a protective layer made up principally of nickel hydroxide. By preference the layer is made up of at least 80% by wt of nickel hydroxide and incorporates up to 20% by wt of at least one other metal which may be chosen from manganese, aluminum, cobalt, chromium, iron and copper. Independent claims are also included for the following: (a) a negative electrode for a secondary electrochemical battery with an alkaline electrolyte containing this electrochemically active material; (b) a secondary electrochemical battery incorporating the negative electrode; and (c) a method for the fabrication of this electrochemically active material.