<p>We presented a novel porous alumina ceramics (PACs) with superoleophilicity and superoleophobicity when immersed in different oil-water environments. The wettability, separation efficiency, permeation flux and reusability of the PACs for oil/water separation were investigated and characterized via extensive experiments. The PACs material had favourable properties including mechanical strength and chemical durability compared with fabric-based materials and organic sponge-based materials previously reported in literature for oil/water separation. It is believed that the PACs material and methodology presented in this work may provide wastewater remediation industry with a promising alternative for dealing with the catastrophic ocean oil pollution and other oil contamination.</p>