The lotus-leaf-like superhydrophobic copper was fabricated by a facile two-step method without the chemical modi. cation, on which the water contact angle can reach 158 degrees and the water-sliding angle is less than 10 degrees. Reversible superhydrophobicity to superhydrophilicity transition was observed and controlled by alternation of UV irradiation and dark storage. More interestingly, the superhydrophobic surface exhibits superoleophilicity and all those properties can be well used in reversible switch, separating the water and oil and so on. (C) 2010 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.