Magnesium nickel alloy (Mg2Ni) which used as the negative electrode material in the nickel-metal hydride (Ni/MH) secondary battery is modified by graphite via mechanical milling. The effects of graphite on the Mg2Ni are systematically investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a series of electrochemical tests. The results show that the cycle stability of the Mg2Ni alloy is improved with the addition of 10 wt.% graphite and the discharge capacity at the 20th cycle increase from 116.9 mA g(-1) to 178.5 mA g(-1) The Tafel polarization test indicates better corrosion resistance of the Mg2Ni/graphite composite. Meanwhile, the results of electrochemical tests indicate that both the charge-transfer reaction rate on the surface of the alloy and the hydrogen diffusion rate inside the bulk of alloy are boosted with the introduction of graphite. (C) 2016 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.