This　paper　describes　the　preparation　of　nano-composite　W-La,03　material　by　freeze-drying　and　spark　plasma　sintering　(SPS).　The　thermionic　electron　emission　capability　and　surface　properties　of　this　material　have　been　investigated.　The　surface　compositions　and　depth　profiles　of　the　prepared　material　were　checked　＂in　situ＂　by　means　of　AES　from　298　K　to　1573　K.　Nanocomposite　W-La2O3　material　exhibits　good　electron　emission　performance:　a　saturated　emission　current　density　of　1.46　A　cm(-2)　can　be　reached　at　1673　K　with　a　corresponding　work　function　of　2.79　eV　The　surface　analysis　results　showed　that　the　good　emission　capability　might　be　related　to　an　about　10　nm　surface　layer　contained　excess　La　caused　by　diffusion　of　La　from　bulk　material　to　the　surface.　(c)　2005　Elsevier　B.V.　All　rights　reserved.