A negative electrode and a lithium ion battery employing the same are provided. The negative electrode includes an active layer and a composite layer disposed on the active layer. The composite layer includes a lithiophilic nanoparticle, a metal nanoparticle and a binder. The binding energy (ΔE) of the lithiophilic nanoparticle with lithium is less than or equal to −2.5 eV. The metal nanoparticle has a standard Gibbs free energy of reaction (ΔrG) less than 0. The weight ratio of the lithiophilic nanoparticle to the metal nanoparticle is from 1:1 to 8:1, and the amount of binder is from 10 wt % to 25 wt %, based on the total weight of the lithiophilic nanoparticle and the metal nanoparticle.