NEGATIVE ELECTRODE ACTIVE MATERIAL FOR NONAQUEOUS ELECTROLYTE SECONDARY BATTERIES, AND NONAQUEOUS ELECTROLYTE SECONDARY BATTERY

A negative electrode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes composite particles containing a lithium silicate phase, a silicon phase dispersed in the lithium silicate phase, and a crystalline phase of silicon dioxide dispersed in the lithium silicate phase. The crystalline phase of silicon dioxide contains β-cristobalite and quartz.