Large-scale　novel　needle-shaped　SnO2　nanostructures　were　produced　via　a　thermal　evaporation　method　and　their　possible　growth　mechanism　is　proposed.　The　products,　which　gradually　become　thinner　to　form　a　sharp　tip,　had　preferred　<110>　growth　directions.　Efficient　and　stable　field　emission　is　obtained　from　these　SnO2　nanostructures.　The　current　density　is　up　to　3 mA/cm2　at　5.93 V/μm　and　the　fluctuation　of　FE　(field　emission)　currents　is　as　small　as　8%　over　2 h.　Our　results　imply　that　needle-shaped　SnO2　nanostructures　are　promising　candidate　for　FE　displays.　©　2008　Elsevier　B.V.　All　rights　reserved.