A membrane-supported gel polymer electrolyte for a lithium-ion polymer battery was prepared and characterized. This electrolyte was prepared by coating a gel polymer electrolyte onto a porous polyethylene membrane. The gel-coated membrane electrolytes exhibited a high ionic conductivity, and excellent mechanical and good adhesive properties. The gel polymer electrolyte coated on both sides of the membrane was demonstrated to encapsulate organic solvent within the porous membrane. With these gel-coated membrane electrolytes, lithium-ion polymer cells composed of a carbon anode and a LiCoO2 cathode were assembled, and their cycling performances were evaluated. These lithium-ion polymer cells exhibited electrochemical performances similar to regular lithium-ion batteries with liquid electrolyte. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.