Single crystalline SnO 2 nanowires with diameter in the range of 10–100nm and several micrometers in length have been successfully prepared by the combustion technique in air using Al, Cu 2 O and SnO as the raw materials. FE–SEM and TEM images showed that the nanowires were single crystalline, growing along the [310] direction. The nanowires' growth mechanism was suggested to follow both VLS and VS mechanisms. The formation of SnO 2 nanowires underwent three steps: tin vapor generation via combustion synthesis, oxidation of the tin vapor and its nucleation and subsequent growth. At the same time, porous Al 2 O 3 ceramic and Cu–Sn alloy were obtained during the combustion synthesis process.