A commercial rice paper (RP) is used for the first time as a separator membrane in lithium-ion batteries. It consists of interpenetrating cellulose fibers with a diameter of about 5-40 mu m to form a highly porous structure. The RP is found to be electrochemically stable at a potential below 4.5 V vs. Li+/Li. Several kinds of electrode materials including graphite, LiFePO4, LiCoO2 and LiMn2O4 are used to test the compatibility of the RP in Li-ion batteries and to compare with a commercial polypropylene/polyethylene/polypropylene separator membrane. The RP separator with the same thickness gives rise to a lower resistance than the commercial separator. Due to the wonderful flexibility, high porosity, low cost and excellent electrochemical performance of the RP membrane, it is promising to partially replace commercial separators in lithium-ion batteries for low power applications. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.