A surface with Ni micro-nano cones array (MCA) was fabricated with electro-deposition method and exhibited super-hydrophilic nature when freshly prepared. Spontaneous transition from super-hydrophilicity to super-hydrophobicity was observed when the surface was exposed in air at room temperature. The special surface structure of MCA played an important role in amplifying the surface wettability. Since the surface structure remained the same as the freshly prepared Ni MCA films during the storage, the transition was proved to be attributed to the change of surface chemical composition. Such wettability transition property of Ni MCA films might shed light on the high-tech areas of self-cleaners, anti-corrosion materials, anti-contamination materials, etc. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.