Preparation of recyclable and deformable POM microfiber for oil–water separation with nature-inspired top–bottom strategy

•POM microfiber (PMF) and its membrane (PMFM) possessed outstanding hydrophobicity and lipophilicity.•PMF can absorb oil spontaneously in oil–water mixture to form an aggregation.•PMF has excellent chemical stability for various oils and organic solvents.•PMF has recyclability and maintains excellent hydrophobicity and lipophilicity.•PMF can be constructed to self-standing continuous oil–water separation cup with deformability.