The invention provides a negative electrode for improving rate capability of a lithium ion energy storage device and application of the negative electrode. The negative electrode comprises a current collector and a negative electrode material coated on the current collector, and the negative electrode material comprises a negative electrode active material, an optional conductive additive, a binder and one or more nitrogen-containing compounds selected from lithium nitrate, lithium nitrite, sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite. The invention also relates to the application of the negative electrode in the lithium ion energy storage device. The negative electrode provided by the invention can improve the rate capability and the cycling stability of the lithium ion energy storage device, is lowin cost, is suitable for mass production, and can be widely applied to industrial production.