A high strength, anti-corrosion and sustainable separator for aqueous zinc-based battery by natural bamboo cellulose

•A bamboo cellulose membrane (BCM) composed of nanosheets is developed a separator specifically for aqueous zinc-based batteries (AZBs).•BCM has excellent mechanical strength, superior anti-corrosion and abundant uniformly distributed natural nano-scale pores.•The Zn/BCM/Zn symmetric exhibits much prolonged cycle life up to 5000 h and 5000 h in 3 M Zn(CF3SO3)2 electrolyte and 1 M KOH electrolyte.