Graphite particles and lithium secondary battery using the same as negative electrode

A graphite particle for use in forming a negative electrode for a lithium secondary battery, comprising a plurality of flat-shaped particles bound together so that planes of orientation of flat-shaped particles do not become parallel to one another, wherein the flat-shaped particles have at least one of the following characteristics:

• an aspect ratio of 5 or less;
• a specific surface area of 8 m2/g or less;
• a crystallite size in a direction of a c-axis of the crystal of 500 Å or more as measured by X ray broad angle diffraction;
• a crystallite size in a direction of a plane of the crystal of 1,000 Å or less as measured by X ray broad angle diffraction;
• a pore volume of pores having a size falling in the range of 102 to 106 Å of the particles of 0.4 to 2.0 cc/g per weight of the particles;
• and
• a pore volume of pores having a size falling in a range of 1×102 to 2×104 Å of the particles of 0.08 to 0.4 cc/g per weight of the particles.