A negative electrode and a battery employing the same are provided. The negative electrode includes a negative electrode active layer and a protective layer. The protective layer is disposed on the negative electrode active layer, wherein the protective layer includes a nanopowder and a binder. The nanopowder has a specific surface area of 30 m2/g to 1,000 m2/g. The nanopowder has a binding energy less than or equal to −2.5 eV. The weight ratio of the nanopowder to the binder is from 51:49 to 99:1. The nanopowder is a compound having a structure represented by Formula (I)


MiXj  Formula (I)

wherein M is Al, Mg, Zr, Zn, or Si, and X is O or N; i is 1, 2 or 3, and j is 1, 2, 3 or 4.